MIDDLESBROUGH youngster George Miller will continue his development with Bradford City next season after signing a season-long loan deal with the League One side.

Miller, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Bury, has been allowed to leave Teesside in order to secure regular first-team football next term.

He was involved in Boro’s senior set-up under Garry Monk, appearing in a Carabao Cup third-round game at Aston Villa, but has not featured under Tony Pulis.

He is, however, regarded as a bright prospect for the future, and it is hoped a season-long spell at Valley Parade will enable him to compete for a place in Boro’s first-team squad next summer.

The 20-year-old did not travel to the Teessiders’ pre-season training base in Germany, and should make his first Bradford appearance in a friendly this weekend.

“George was exceptional last season at a very young age in a Bury side who were fighting for their lives,” said Bantams head coach Michael Collins. “His infectious attitude to hard work will be a huge factor for us, and he has clearly demonstrated he knows how to score goals, so we are delighted to welcome him into the club.”

Boro have sanctioned the departure of another of their development-team players, with 22-year-old forward Luke Armstrong having joined Gateshead on loan.

Armstrong, who is the son for former Boro striker Alun, was initially released from Rockliffe Park as a teenager.

However, a string of impressive performances for Blyth Spartans saw him re-join the club last summer, and he scored three goals during the Under-21s’ Checkatrade Trophy campaign.

“Luke has been someone we’ve been hoping to get in for maybe three weeks now,” said Gateshead boss Steve Watson. “Middlesbrough obviously rate him very highly and are going to be careful about who they loan him out to, but we all agreed in the end that it would be a very good move for both ourselves and Luke with the way we’re going to try and play and the player he is.”

Meanwhile, Boro youngster Marcus Tavernier has been named in the England squad for the forthcoming European Under-19s Championship.

Tavernier, who made eight senior Boro appearances last season, will feature in Paul Simpson’s England squad in Finland.