MIDDLESBROUGH have confirmed the signing of Spanish striker Alvaro Negredo on a season-long loan.

As expected, Negredo joins Boro for the whole of the season from La Liga side Valencia, with an agreement in place for a potential permanent transfer next summer.


The clause, which would have to be agreed by all parties to be triggered, is understood to outline a fee of around €10m for a potential permanent switch.

Negredo has already travelled to Marbella to link up with Aitor Karanka and the rest of the Middlesbrough squad.

Boro lost the first of three planned pre-season matches when they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Real Betis last night, and it remains to be seen whether Negredo is involved in either of the two remaining games, which will pit the Teessiders against Spanish club Alcorcon and Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli.

The 30-year-old brings a wealth of experience, having scored 112 La Liga goals in 264 appearances.

He has previously played in the Premier League with Manchester City, scoring 23 goals in 48 appearances after moving to the Etihad in a £16.4m move from Sevilla in 2013.