MIDDLESBROUGH new boy Bernardo Espinosa is confident his defensive acumen will enable him to make a success of his move to the Premier League.

Espinosa has spent the week getting to know his new team-mates following his free transfer move from Sporting Gijon, although a long-standing knee injury means he will not be making his first appearance in a Boro shirt when Aitor Karanka’s side kick off their pre-season preparations at York City on Saturday.

The 26-year-old centre-half has spent the whole of his career playing in Spain, but as a ‘defender who likes to defend’, he is confident he possesses the skills and strength required to handle the physical demands of playing in the Premier League.

“I like to describe myself as an aggressive defender, and good in the air,” said Espinosa. “In Spain, you have to make good use of the ball, take care of it, but I never try to complicate myself too much.

“A defender has to defend, first of all, and try to do it as best you can. Everything you can give to the offensive side is after.”

Espinosa faces a considerable battle to dislodge Daniel Ayala and Ben Gibson from Boro’s starting line-up, but the Colombian cannot wait to get started on Teesside.

“It’s a great new start, a great step forward in my career,” he said. “Of course there were a lot of options. We had to decide upon what would make me and my family happy and fulfilled.

“We’re very happy to complete the deal and start a new life at this club. Playing in the Premier League has always been one of my dreams and I’m very grateful to Middlesbrough for giving me this opportunity.”

Espinosa injured his knee in January, and while he is expected to return to full training later this summer, he is unlikely to be considered for the opening Premier League game of the season in the middle of next month.

His knee problem wrecked the final months of his three-year spell with Gijon, but it has made him even more determined to prove himself with Boro.

“When you have to start working towards coming back, it’s difficult to accept,” he said, in an interview with Middlesbrough’s official website. “From that point on, you know your job has been changed but you have to give everything to come back stronger than when you left.

“I try to be very positive. I always think that from every bad situation, you have to take the best of it and you learn a lot about yourself.

“I’m sure this will make me a better person and a better player. I’m looking forward to starting the work here.”

Middlesbrough have confirmed they will play three matches against as yet unnamed opponents during this month’s training break in Marbella.

Boro’s players head to Spain for a week-long training camp on July 18, and Spanish media reports claim one of their matches is likely to pit them against La Liga side Real Betis.