AITOR KARANKA thinks a week in Marbella will be just the place for Viktor Fischer to find his feet in a Middlesbrough shirt following his summer switch from Ajax.

The Danish winger, a £3.8m capture from Ajax at the start of the summer, was part of the squad that flew to the Costa del Sol yesterday for three friendlies and warm weather training.

Former Southampton forward Gaston Ramirez, who has completed his switch from Penarol after receiving a work permit and signed a three-year deal, was on the plane along with other recruits Marten de Roon, Bernardo Espinosa, Antonio Barragan and Victor Valdes. Neven Subotic, who is waiting for a work permit, may follow.

Valencia striker Alvaro Negredo’s season-long loan has still to be rubber-stamped, although he is due to meet up with rest of the squad in Marbella.

Negredo trained with Valencia yesterday, but has not flown to Holland for a pre-season trip to allow him to make the move. Everton have been linked with a late move in trying to tempt him away to Merseyside instead, but Middlesbrough are confident it will go ahead.

Karanka has already achieved quite a lot on the transfer front, with players regularly arriving since Fischer agreed to swap the Eredivisie for the Premier League in June.

The 21-year-old is rated highly in his Scandinavian homeland but has seen his early rise to prominence affected over the last 18 months because of injury.

But he came through his first 45 minutes of football in a Middlesbrough shirt unscathed at Doncaster, and Karanka believes the trip to Spain will help his cause. He said: “Viktor’s a quality player who's played a few games in the Champions League.

“He's young but experienced. He's quality. It was difficult for him at Doncaster as he has just been training with us for one week and it's a new team, new team-mates and a new environment.

“For that reason, he has to keep going and go to Marbella to keep improving and to be together. He's settled well, it's easier for everyone when you arrive in a changing room like we have.”

Fischer had his moments at the Keepmoat Stadium, showing a few nice touches and an eye for a pass, but in truth he hardly set the world alight in what was only Boro's second friendly of the summer.

The third will be tonight against Real Betis in Marbella before a further two fixtures out there will be followed when they return by a trip to Aston Villa on July 30.

By that time Fischer will hope to be up to full speed and he will be pushing to start the campaign on the left, where he played much of the game against Doncaster. He is also capable of playing through the middle or behind the striker.

Former Middlesbrough playmaker Gaizka Mendieta believes the business that Boro have carried out so far on the transfer front is testament to the head coach.

Karanka had a lot of uncertainty surrounding his position towards the back end of last season, before eventually pulling everyone together to deliver promotion.

Chairman Steve Gibson has stood by him since and backed him to bring in the players he has wanted over the summer, with more to follow.

Former Barcelona and Spain player Mendieta said: “Aitor has been key. Obviously helped and supported by the club and getting the players he asked for.

“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."

Daniel Ayala has also travelled to Marbella despite an ankle problem, and will be alongside other injured players Espinosa and Grant Leadbitter.