FORMER Middlesbrough player Gaizka Mendieta has hailed the job done by Aitor Karanka as Middlesbrough prepare to put Alvaro Negredo through his medical.

The Boro squad flew out to Marbella this morning ahead of a week’s training and friendlies starting with Tuesday night’s date with Real Betis – and had Gaston Ramirez among their ranks.

Ramirez has had a successful work permit application and is a Middlesbrough player again after spending the second half of last season on loan at the Riverside.

Negredo is now expected to join him in Marbella. The Valencia striker has agreed to a season-long loan and he has been left out of Valencia’s squad to travel to Holland after training this morning.

The former Manchester City striker is expected now expected to head to the Costa del Sol to undergo a medical and finalise his switch to the Teessiders for the season. Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic has also agreed to the move, subjected to a work permit.

And Mendieta, part of the Middlesbrough squad which won the Carling Cup in 2004, thinks the calibre of the signings is testament to head coach Karanka.

“Aitor has been key. Obviously helped and supported by the club and getting the players he asked for,” Mendieta told Omnisport.

“He has proven that he is right. He achieved what he believed in.

“It's not easy when it's kind of your first proper job in terms of a club, having only coached the academies with the Spanish federations. Obviously three years with Mourinho is like a proper master, an advanced course.

“Slowly, slowly he has built his side and it's full credit to him and the players.

'It's fantastic. After too long, and after the season before nearly touching it and losing the final, it shows how well Aitor has done with the club. So happy for the fans, for the club, the players, for Aitor, for everyone involved in the city. It's massive.”