ADEN FLINT claims the strength of Middlesbrough’s promotion ambitions was the key factor behind his decision to make a £6m move from Bristol City.

Flint signed a four-year contract earlier today to complete his switch from Ashton Gate, bringing an end to his five-year spell as a Bristol City player.

Like his fellow new arrival, Paddy McNair, the centre-half has flown to Austria with the rest of Boro’s first-team squad for a training camp that will culminate in a friendly against Sturm Graz next Thursday.

Having guided his side to the play-offs last season, Boro boss Tony Pulis will be targeting an automatic promotion spot this term, and the prospect of playing in the Premier League was one of the major attractions that persuaded Flint to move to Teesside.

“Everyone has spoken about (how) the main aim this season is to get promoted since I’ve walked in,” he said, in an interview with Boro's official website. “And I want to play at the top so that’s my aim as well.

“I’m looking forward to helping the team try and achieve that. It feels good. I’m happy to get the deal done in the end.

“It was a tough decision for me, leaving Bristol City after being there for so long, but when an opportunity like this comes up, it’s too hard to turn down.”

Flint was linked with a possible departure from Bristol City last summer, but the Robins battled hard to keep him at Ashton Gate.

Boro fought off competition from a number of Championship rivals to sign the 28-year-old, and Flint is delighted to have his future resolved at such an early stage of the transfer window.

“It (the talks) went on for a couple of weeks, but I’m happy to be sorted now,” he said. “Last summer, it was going on all summer and I didn’t know whether I was coming or going. Thankfully, it’s all sorted now and I’m ready to go.”