MIDDLESBROUGH will confirm the £5m signing of Paddy McNair later today, with the midfielder having successfully undergone a medical yesterday afternoon.

Having agreed the personal terms of his switch from Sunderland over the weekend, McNair was at Boro’s Rockliffe Park training ground yesterday completing the technicalities of his move to Teesside.

Boro’s first-team players were also in attendance on the opening day of their pre-season programme, and McNair will be available to make his first appearance for the club when they play their opening summer friendly at Spennymoor Town next Tuesday.

McNair’s move to Middlesbrough looked to have broken down last Thursday after the Teessiders withdrew their offer when they became frustrated at the way in which the midfielder’s representatives were continuing to talk to alternative suitors.

However, a series of weekend discussions resulted in the deal being resurrected, and McNair opted to move to Boro despite competing interest from their Championship rivals, Stoke City.

Brighton also lodged an offer for McNair’s services earlier this summer, but refused to increase their initial bid of £3.5m, which was rejected by Sunderland’s new owner, Stewart Donald.

McNair, a Northern Ireland international, is a product of Manchester United’s youth system, having joined the club’s academy set-up in 2011.

He made his senior Manchester United debut in September 2014, and joined Sunderland in a £5.5m transfer in August 2016, signing a four-year contract at the Stadium of Light.

His time on Wearside was blighted by a series of injury problems, but he leaves having made 28 senior appearances in a Sunderland shirt, scoring seven goals.

He scored three goals in his final five appearances last season, and was widely regarded as the Black Cats’ best player as they dropped into League One.

He will add a much-needed goal threat to Middlesbrough’s midfield, with Tony Pulis having been attracted by his youthful energy and ability to break forward in support of the strikers playing ahead of him.