MIDDLESBROUGH have completed the signing of Fernando Amorebieta on loan until the end of the season.

The Venezuelan international joins Aitor Karanka's side from Fulham, with full-back James Husband going in the opposite direction on a similar deal.

Amorebieta was a summer 2013 signing from Athletic Bilbao, where Karanka also began his career.

The centre-half made 195 appearances for the Basque side including the 2012 Europa League final defeat to Atletico Madrid, and has made ten caps for Venezuela.

The loan will strengthen Middlesbrough's defensive options after suffering their biggest defeat of the season on Saturday, a 3-0 defeat at Bournemouth.

Damia Abella, Ryan Fredericks and Dani Ayala missed out through injury while Jonathan Woodgate, who is training with a broken toe, was also left out despite claiming his fitness earlier this week.

Husband, 21, joined Boro last summer from Doncaster and has made six appearances this season in all competitions.