DEFENDER Alex Baptiste has left Wanderers and joined Championship rivals Middlesbrough on a three-year contract.

The 29-year-old joined the Whites on a free transfer from Blackpool in the summer of 2013 and had a year to run on his deal at the Macron Stadium.

But after spending the whole of last season out on loan at Blackburn Rovers, Baptiste has now exited on a permanent basis.

Baptiste made 43 appearances during his time at the Macron Stadium, scoring four times.