MIDDLESBROUGH have confirmed their second deadline-day signing after Ritchie De Laet completed a season-long loan from Leicester City.

The 27-year-old Belgian arrives to provide some defensive cover as Boro look to complete their promotion push in the final three months of the season.

Primarily a right-back, De Laet can play in both full-back berths and will also help to cover for the injured George Friend on the left-hand side.

The Leicester defender brings a wealth of experience, having learnt his trade with Royal Antwerp and Manchester United before making over 120 appearances to help the Foxes win promotion to the top-flight before establishing themselves as a Premier League side.

De Laet's first English club was Stoke City, and he has also enjoyed a number of successful loan spells featuring for Wrexham, Sheffield United, Preston, Portsmouth, and Norwich City.

De Laet has won two international caps for his country and also played at Under-21 level.