Forgotten Portsmouth loanee suffers bitter blow days after Middlesbrough play-off heartbreak
Sammy Silvera amassed 12 appearances during a loan spell to forget during the 2024-25 campaign.
Sammy Silvera’s frustrations have continued, 18 months after his failed Pompey loan stay.
The winger, who spent the first half of the 2024-25 campaign at Fratton Park, has been released by Middlesbrough following their play-off final heartbreak last Saturday.
Boro have confirmed the Aussie is one of six first-team players who will depart the Riverside Stadium at the conclusion of their deals this summer.
Former Pompey loanee released by Middlesbrough
Silvera has been released alongside Dan Barlaser, Jon McLaughlin, Darragh Lenihan, Marcus Forss and Alex Gilbert as Kim Hellberg begins his preparations for next season.
The 25-year-old fell down the pecking order under the Swede, despite impressing under Rob Edwards prior to his exit in October.
The ex-Pompey and Blackpool loanee featured 22 times for Middlesbrough last term, eight of which came from the starting XI.
Although Boro reached the play-off final having been reinstated for the Wembley showdown following Southampton's expulsion, the eight-cap Australia international was an unused substitute in the capital as Hellberg’s side fell to a stoppage-time defeat.
And that would mark Silvera’s last match-day involvement for the Riverside Stadium outfit, bringing an end to a three-year stint in the north east.
The winger made the move from Central Coast Mariners in 2023 and went on to net eight goals and provide five assists in 68 appearances in all competitions.
During his stint with Boro, the forward spent time on loan at Fratton Park, where he struggled to hit form and confidence.
Silvera failed to register a single goal contribution in his 12 outings on the south coast, with frustrations coming to the forefront during Pompey’s 3-0 defeat to Bristol City in December 2024.
His loan stint would eventually be cut short just a few days later, marking the end of a hugely-underwhelming stint at PO4.
Sammy Silvera’s failed Pompey stay and what John Mousinho said
‘The head coach told The News: ‘We had a sensible conversation with Middlesbrough about what was best for Sammy and, after the Bristol City game, both parties thought it was the best thing for Sammy to go back.
‘It’s very difficult off the back of that (supporter reaction) as a player and then as a coach. If I’m looking at that as a coach, I worry about the negative implications of involving Sammy again for his own sake - and we have to look after him as a player.
‘I don’t think he deserved any of that, but I don’t necessarily think that would stop it from happening again.
‘You certainly have to look at a player’s confidence and a player’s well-being when you’re taking into account all of the questions which you need to answer.
‘I am sure Sammy would have wanted to be involved a lot more, but he hadn't stopped trying, he hadn’t stopped working, he certainly hadn’t downed tools. He was still working for the football club regardless of what you think of his performances.’