Rudy Gestede - a regular thorn in the side of Nottingham Forest - is a now a free agent after it was announced he had left Middlesbrough just one hour before their game against Stoke City.
The striker, 31, has scored eight goals in 10 career appearances against the Reds and he was in Boro's starting line-up against Swansea just last week.
However, with his contract expiring on Tuesday and no prospect of a new deal being agreed, he was released on the eve of Neil Warnock's first game in charge - which they won 2-0.
Former Forest loan signing Daniel Ayala has also been released for the same reason. Teeside Live says the Spanish defender, who played on loan for Forest in the 2012/13 season, was expected to go.
However, the departure of former Aston Villa man Gestede came as a surprise with the club hopeful of agreeing a short-term extension until the end of the season as Boro battle to stay in the Championship.
