BARGAIN-BUY Juninho last night revealed the burning desire he has to help his beloved Middlesbrough lift their first major trophy.

The Brazilian, who was officially unveiled yesterday after signing a four-year deal, is set to kick-start his third spell on Teesside tonight in the friendly with Alaves at the Riverside.

And Juninho - a £3.8m capture from Atletico Madrid, nearly £1m less than the figure Boro first paid Sao Paulo for the player in 1995 - is convinced that success is just around the corner under the guidance of manager Steve McClaren.

Boro have not won a top honour in their 130-year existence, but Juninho is confident that will soon change. And the 29-year-old, who was part of ex-manager Bryan Robson's team which lost both the FA Cup and Coca-Cola Cup finals in 1997, is desperate for that to happen before he returns to his homeland.

"I will stay for the four years of my contract, then I will go back to finish my career in Brazil," said the midfielder, who was also on loan at Boro during the 1999-00 season.

"I think we can win a trophy in that time. We were in two Cup finals when I was here and that was the best time in my career.

"The manager wants this to be a bigger club than before and we can do that.

"I have always had a great time here but this time we can be successful.

"There are some very great players here and the team is stronger but we have to play with a lot of heart."

Juninho, whose return was welcomed by a couple of hundred elated Boro fans at the Riverside, insists the move will not affect his place in the Brazil squad.

The tricky South American left a relegated Boro in 1997 for £12m and he indicated that it was a move he had to make to save his international career.

But now, with a World Cup winner's medal in tow, Juninho is adamant coming back to the Premiership can only boost his Brazil career.

"No Brazil is OK," he said. "The Premier League is shown there on TV on a Saturday. It's not like seven years ago, people in Brazil know about Middlesbrough now.

"Everybody knows it is a good club and a good team so there is no problem for me and my international career.

''I'm very happy to be here. I've always had excellent treatment when I was here but it feels different now. I was on loan here the second time - it was not the same.

''Now I hope to give the fans something back on the pitch.''

Happy boss McClaren believes the capture of Juninho represents a major step forward for his squad.

And the former Manchester United No 2, who has spent £19.45m this summer on new players, is convinced his latest signing can set the English league alight again.

''We've been searching for quite a while for the sort of player who can excite the crowd and win football matches," said McClaren, who has also signed Massimo Maccarone, George Boateng, Geremi and Franck Queudrue.

''We brought Juninho back for what he can do on the football field. We believe the timing is right for Juninho to come back.

''I'm delighted with the quality of players we've signed - and the final piece of the jigsaw is now sat beside me.

''The hunger of the players we've signed also pleases me.

''Juninho has won a World Cup medal and he is talking about hunger and desire to win things - and that has to be matched by everybody."

And the Boro chief is confident Juninho will go on to bring the best out of the club's front-men.

"I think it is important for the players in our squad to take their opportunity when it comes along," said McClaren.

"I have talked before about the midfield but now we have got Juninho and Massimo Maccarone pushing all the other forwards in this squad for places.

"Noel Whelan, Alen Boksic, Dean Windass, Szilard Nemeth and Joseph Job have all played pre-season and all of a sudden we have got competition for places up front.

"We struggled to score goals last season and we have been able to provide more options now by bringing new players in. That can only help the rest of the players."

Juninho is not expected to be given international clearance until later this week, but he has been handed permission to play with his new teammates against Alaves this evening.

Meanwhile, McClaren is still hoping to tie up a deal to bring Jesper Blomqvist to the Riverside.

Winger Blomqvist has been on trial with Boro and the Boro boss said: "We are waiting to see how he recovers from an injury before seeing to that deal.

"Hopefully we can sort something out at the beginning of next week.

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