Festa will be fondly remembered by all Boro fans for his tough, uncompromising defending, his vital goals and above all his unswerving loyalty and commitment to the Boro cause.
The Italian was signed by Bryan Robson in January 1997, making a instant impact by scoring on his debut against Sheffield Wednesday. He went on to scoop the Supporters Player of the Year award the following year and played a part in all three of Boro's Wembley cup finals.
Steve McClaren declared Luca surplus to requirements at the Riverside this season and he was offloaded to Portsmouth. He was an instant hit with the Pompey faithful as part of the team that romped to promotion.
Meanwhile Carlos Marinelli could be pricing himself out of a summer move to Serie A outfit Torino. The already relegated club are reluctant to meet the player's wage demands but are still keen to sign him.
Marinelli said, "With Middlesbrough I am paid 285,000 per year, I want to sign a contract with Torino but for 315,000."
The Italian side are offering 225,000 per year.