JONNY HOWSON claims he joined ‘the best team in the Championship’ when he agreed to sign for Middlesbrough – and his positive impression has been reinforced by the quality of the players to have followed him through the entrance door.

Howson became Boro’s first summer signing when he completed a move from Norwich City, and he turned down interest from a number of Championship clubs in order to commit to the Riverside.

He made his first Boro appearance on English soil when he played the full 90 minutes of Wednesday’s 2-2 draw at Mansfield, and while his evening did not go to plan when he scored a first-half own goal, he successfully gained some more match practice with the opening weekend of the Championship season now a little over a fortnight away.

Having helped Norwich win promotion two seasons ago, when they beat Boro in the play-off final, the 29-year-old knows what it takes to get out of the second tier, and with the Teessiders set to start the new season as one of the favourites to make it to the Premier League, he is delighted with the strength of the squad he has joined.

“There was the disappointment of last season, but if you look around the side and see the number of quality players we have, then potentially this team can go far,” said Howson, who is likely to sit out tomorrow’s friendly at Rochdale, having played the whole of Wednesday’s game.

“I was aware of the work the manager did last season, and there were many reasons why I decided to join. The strength of the squad was a big one though – I believe it’s potentially the best team in the division, and we’re certainly capable of going straight back up.

“That, along with the work the manager has done, were the main reasons why I was interested. I’m obviously aware of the size of Middlesbrough Football Club too, having been brought up not too far away from here.”

Howson joined on the same day as Cyrus Christie, and the pair have subsequently been joined by Martin Braithwaite, who made a £9m move from Toulouse, and Britt Assombalonga, who broke Boro’s transfer record when he completed a £15m switch from Nottingham Forest.

The pair will hope to be involved in tomorrow’s game at Spotland, and Howson has been impressed with the quality of his new employers’ signings this summer.

“It’s great when you see people like that following you in,” he said. “The backing this club receives is fantastic, and it means you can go out and sign people like that.

“That can only add to the competition for places, that’s what you get when you can make quality signings. I think everyone associated with the club will have been excited by the last few days.

“But it’s okay for us to stand here now and say, ‘We’ve got these players’. The bottom line is that we have to go out and perform week in, week out to get the club back into the Premier League where is should belong.”

Stewart Downing remains part of Boro’s squad, with his proposed move to Birmingham City having stalled in the last 24 hours.

Negotiations between the two clubs remain ongoing, but they are understood to be some way apart in their valuation of the former England international, and their willingness to fund the wages Downing is due over the remainder of his Boro contract.

Downing is adamant he does not want to lose out financially when he did not actively seek a move away from the Riverside, but Birmingham are understood to be struggling to meet his wage demands.

Oldham are looking to re-sign goalkeeper Connor Ripley, having had the youngster on loan last season.

Meanwhile, Boro have added another player to their youth ranks with the signing of 16-year-old Gabriel McGill from York City.

McGill, who is the son of York owner and chairman Jason McGill, has signed a two-year scholarship deal and will join Boro’s academy.

“Middlesbrough is a Championship club seeking a return to the Premier League, and I can see a clear pathway to the first team if I am good enough and I work hard enough,” said McGill. “It is a great opportunity.”