ONE of the most momentous weeks in Middlesbrough's history came to a close last night, with new signing Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink insisting he had joined "one of the best squads in the Premiership".

The Dutch international has signed a two-year deal with Boro after making a free transfer move from Chelsea that completed a remarkable triple whammy for boss Steve McClaren.

Full-back Michael Reiziger was unveiled at Boro's Rockliffe Park training ground on Tuesday, with Australian striker Mark Viduka being paraded at the same venue 48 hours later.

Now Hasselbaink has also joined the Boro revolution, and the 32-year-old is convinced he has joined a club moving in the right direction.

Hasselbaink has left a Chelsea squad that was revolutionised by the arrival of Roman Abramovich last summer.

But, after meeting his new team-mates for the first time yesterday, the former Leeds striker is convinced that Boro can match last year's Premiership runners-up.

"Chelsea have a lot of big names but, as a squad, Middlesbrough are definitely going to surprise a lot of people this season," said Hasselbaink, who can boast 103 Premier League goals.

"It's an exciting time for Middlesbrough. The club is going forward, they played exciting football last season, and this season could be even better.

"This is going to be a place where you want to come and watch football this year.

"It's a very good squad. We have got players that can easily do well in the Premiership.

"It's not just 11 players either - it's more than 11 and there's a depth to the squad that you need if you're going to do well.

"If you look at all the players individually, I think any Premiership team would want them at their club."

Viduka was quick to set his sights on the Champions League after completing his £4.5m move from Leeds earlier this week.

Hasselbaink was part of the Chelsea side that made it to the last four of Europe's premier club competition last year, and shares the same ambitions as his new teammate.

"This year is the first year that Middlesbrough are in Europe," he said. "If we can do better this season and get in the Champions League I think it will be a magnificent achievement. It's history and every footballer wants to make history. You have to set some goals of where you want to go.

"We definitely want to be in Europe and, with the players that were here and those that are coming, the Champions League is a definite possibility. I think we can achieve that."

Hasselbaink scored 70 goals in just 119 Premiership appearances for Chelsea, and can boast more than a goal every two games throughout his illustrious career.

Viduka is only marginally less prolific, averaging 0.49 goals a game during his time at Celtic and Leeds United.

Boro suffered from their profligacy in front of goal last season, with Juninho and Szilard Nemeth topping the club's scoring charts with just nine goals apiece.

A new-look frontline of Hasselbaink and Viduka promises a change in fortune, with the Dutchman admitting he will have failed if Boro do not improve on their goalscoring return next season.

"I hope we can strike fear into the heart of other defenders," said Hasselbaink. "We have to work a lot and get to know each other. But I think we can come together and be a force.

"I will think I have under-achieved if we are not a force next season.

"I know a lot about Mark. He's a quality player, he holds the ball up very well and has good feet.

"But there will be a lot of strikers fighting for two places. If I am picked to play with Viduka then I'm happy to do that.

"But if I'm asked to play with (Massimo) Maccarone, I'm happy to do that as well. The only thing I want is to play."

Hasselbaink's signing completes an action-packed week for the Teessiders, but the club's squad strengthening is not finished yet.

Bolo Zenden is expected to complete his move from Chelsea next week after being told that he is surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge.

And McClaren is also understood to be lining up one more big-name signing before Boro embark on their programme of pre-season games.

The Boro boss is known to be keen on Owen Hargreaves, but Bayern Munich could make it difficult for him to prise the England international away from Germany.

If that is the case, McClaren is expected to make a last-ditch attempt to scupper Newcastle's move for Manchester United's Nicky Butt.

The England No 2 has been an avowed admirer of Butt for many years and is ready to trump Newcastle's £4m offer for the combative midfielder.

"I'm pretty sure that Jimmy won't be the last signing that we make this close season," revealed Boro chief executive Keith Lamb.

"We said it was our intention to settle our squad early and that's what we've done.

"There are a few other bits to settle up but hopefully, by the middle of next week, the squad will be finalised.

"The players can then concentrate on their preparation for next season."

Meanwhile, Boro have announced a pre-season friendly at home to Spanish side Real Mallorca on Wednesday, August 4.

l Reserve goalkeeper Ross Turnbull has signed a new four-year contract with Middlesbrough