Paddy McNair: How much was the West Brom signing earning at Middlesbrough? | OneFootball

The former Boro defender has signed a contract with MLS side San Diego FC, but will spend the first half of the season at The Hawthorns.

Paddy McNair was one of the highest earners at the club during his time with Middlesbrough, but the Northern Irish international became a free agent this summer after Boro opted against offering him a new deal.

After spending some time in the free agent pool, the former Manchester United and Sunderland man finally secured his future by agreeing a three-year deal with MLS side San Diego FC, who in turn immediately sanctioned a temporary loan deal for him to join the Baggies until January.

McNair took his Instagram account in May to confirm his departure from the Riverside Stadium, saying: "After six years and 219 appearances, my time at Middlesbrough has come to an end. Big thank you to all of the players, staff and the fans for the support throughout the years. Looking forward to the next chapter."

But just how much was the 29-year-old earning with Middlesbrough? Football League World investigates.

McNair was one of Boro's big earners

Using Capology, Paddy McNair's weekly wage during the 2023/24 season was detailed as being £20,000. However, it is important to stress that this is an estimate.

That was enough to see him come in as Middlesbrough's fourth-highest paid player last term, with only Sam Greenwood, Luke Ayling and Jonny Howson listed as earning more.

It's worth noting that although Ayling has now signed a permanent contract with Middlesbrough, both he and Greenwood were on loan with the club last season from Leeds United, and so it was only Howson that was earning more than McNair last term out of Boro's own players.

This could largely explain why the Teessiders were not willing to extend McNair's six-year affiliation with the club, having signed from North East rivals Sunderland back in 2018.

McNair has endured back-to-back seasons that have been marred by injuries, with the versatile defender only making 21 Championship appearances last season, and 32 in 2022/23.

McNair's salary outweighed his value to Carrick's squad

It's perhaps fair to assume that had McNair been amongst Middlesbrough's lower-middle tier earners, Boro may well have offered him a new deal at the club this summer, as is his versatility.

McNair can and has lined up as a right-back, centre-back, and in central midfield during his time on Teesside, and was once one of the first names on Middlesbrough's teamsheet.

Indeed, the Northern Irishman was once an invaluable piece in Boro's squad, making 137 appearances and providing 13 goals and assists in all competitions, between 2019/20–2021/22.

But after the signings of Darragh Lenihan, Matt Clarke and Rav van den Berg at centre-back, Luke Ayling and Tommy Smith at right-back, and Lewis O'Brien, Dan Barlaser and Aidan Morris in central midfield - coupled with the emergence of Hayden Hackney - has seen McNair fall down the pecking order in each of his positions.

As such, keeping a utility player on the books as one of the highest earners, is not something that Middlesbrough had much interest in doing from a business perspective.

McNair will have the chance to show Boro why they should've kept him around though, as West Brom are scheduled to host Middlesbrough in the Championship on October 1.

If he stays fit, he could prove to be a smart addition to the Baggies' squad, and could well develop into one of the MLS' better players once he makes his move across the pond.