MIDDLESBROUGH will complete the signing of Jonny Howson and Cyrus Christie within the next 24 hours.

Howson is due to undergo a medical on Teesside later today after Boro agreed a deal of around £4.5m with Norwich City for the midfielder.

The Teessiders' initial offer was rejected at Carrow Road, but further discussions resulted in a compromise agreement being reached.

Boro have seen off competition from a number of Championship clubs including Sunderland and Leeds to sign Howson, who spent six years with Leeds prior to moving to Norwich in 2012.

The Northern Echo:

Garry Monk identified Howson as one of his leading targets the moment he was appointed as Boro boss, and the same is true of Christie, who is set to move to Teesside from Derby County.

Some intensive negotiations have resulted in an agreement that will see Boro pay around £2.2m for Christie, a Republic of Ireland international who has made more than 100 Championship appearances for Derby.

The Northern Echo: Cyrus Christie on scoresheet as Republic of Ireland defeat Uruguay

The departure of Antonio Barragan has left Boro short of options at right-back, and while a move for Reading's Chris Gunter failed to come to fruition, Christie is set to sign over the weekend.

The 24-year-old is flying back from Derby's pre-season training camp in Tenerife to undergo a medical and complete his move to Middlesbrough.