Goalkeeper Lonergan left Leeds before joining Middlesbrough.
Andy Lonergan has told the Hartlepool Mail that there were “no hard feelings” after he mutually agreed to cancel his Leeds United contract, before he signed on with Middlesbrough.
The 34-year-old left Leeds on a free before joining Tony Pulis’ side, despite having another year on his contract at Elland Road. He only rejoined Leeds last summer after leaving Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Whites had signed Jamal Blackman on a season-long loan from Chelsea, who is currently going toe to toe with Bailey Peacock-Farrell for the slot between the sticks. Felix Wiedwald returned to Germany with Eintracht Frankfurt.
Speaking to the Hartlepool Mail, experienced stopper Lonergan said that there was no animosity between himself and Leeds – before claiming Derby County’s ex-Leeds goalkeeper Scott Carson is the best in the league.
“I’ve got Dimi [Konstantopoulos] in front of me, I presume because he sits on the bench in the league, and I’ve got Randz (Randolph) in front of me too,” Lonergan said.
“He’s a fantastic keeper. In my opinion, along with Scott Carson, he is probably the best in the league. I ended my contract with Leeds by mutual consent because it just wasn’t working, and that’s fine, there were no hard feelings.”
Lonergan rejoined Leeds under Thomas Christiansen after first playing for the Yorkshire outfit during the 2011-12 season, in which he was first choice. During that season, he played 38 times and conceded a somewhat large 60 goals.
Last season, 6ft 3in Lonergan was limited to just nine outings by Christiansen and Paul Heckingbottom, and enough was enough for the ex-Bolton, Preston and Fulham stopper.
Lonergan made his debut for Boro on Tuesday night, as they knocked out Notts County on penalties after an enthralling 3-3 draw. Lonergan saved two penalties in the shootout.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
