MIDDLESBROUGH defender Jason Gavin has signed for First Division Bradford City after being released from his Riverside contract.

The former Republic of Ireland Under-21 centre-back, who broke into Boro's senior ranks under Bryan Robson nearly five years ago, has steadily slipped down the pecking order since Steve McClaren took charge in the summer of 2001.

Gavin made only one Boro appearance last season, in the 4-1 Worthington Cup win at Brentford.

The 23-year-old Dubliner was loaned to Huddersfield, where he scored once in ten appearances, but was unable to help the Terriers arrest their slide into Division Three.

The January signing of Chris Riggott from Derby and emergence of Stockton-born stopper Andrew Davies, have dealt a further blow to Gavin's first-team prospects.

Riggott and Davies are vying to play alongside skipper Gareth Southgate at the heart of defence after Ugo Ehiogu was ruled out for around six months with a shock cruciate injury.

Versatile veteran Colin Cooper is also expected to sign a new one-year deal to offer McClaren another defensive option.

Gavin made an impressive full debut for Boro in a 1-1 draw at Newcastle in season 1998-99, when he coped well with the dual threat of Alan Shearer and Duncan Ferguson.

Gavin links up at Bradford with former Boro player Dean Windass, who recently rejoined the Bantams after he was freed by Sheffield United.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are understood to be stepping up their pursuit of Boro target Geremi.

With the backing of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Stamford Bridge boss Claudio Ranieri has renewed his interest in the Cameroon international after his successful season-long loan with Boro.

Real Madrid rejected the Teessiders' £3m end-of-season offer for Geremi and are now said to be seeking to make the most of Chelsea's new-found wealth by demanding £11m.

It seems likely, however, that Real will eventually accept an offer from £6-8m.

Boro swooped to sign Geremi on temporary terms last August after Chelsea aborted a £7.7m deal because of the cash crisis which ultimately would have driven them into administration had it not been for Abramovich's stunning intervention.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.