MIDDLESBROUGH new boy Chris Riggott hopes Gareth Southgate can help nurture him into an England international.

Riggott, who made the move from Derby County along with striker Malcolm Christie in a transfer deadline day deal, has joined on an initial three-month loan contract.

In April the centre-back will sign permanently for £2m and he has admitted Boro skipper Southgate played an enormous part in his decision to leave his roots.

Derby-born Riggott has revealed many have warned him he may have to play second fiddle to the impressive Southgate and Ugo Ehiogu pairing, when the latter recovers from a punctured lung and fractured ribs.

But the 22-year-old insists the England duo can only help his burgeoning football career.

"A lot of people have said to me that it's one of the best defensive partnerships in the Premier League that I will have to get in ahead of," said Riggott. "I haven't met Ugo yet but Gareth is a good man and he is a good player.

"Hopefully Gareth will show me the ropes and I want to develop my game playing in the same squad as players like that. It played a massive part in me coming here."

Riggott added: "I have joined a great club. It helped me a lot to know the players and the manager. They are a great set of lads and, although I've only been here a few days, I already feel at home. I am looking forward to the challenge."

Christie, meanwhile, has cost £3m and he revealed he was keen to work under the tutelage of Steve McClaren again.

McClaren was part of the Rams' coaching staff, along with Boro's reserve team boss Steve Round, when Christie was taking his first steps in professional football.

The England under-21 striker, who nearly joined Boro in the summer when McClaren was quoted £9m for the player, is delighted to finally seal a move to the Riverside.

Christie said: "I was breaking into the Derby first team when Steve McClaren and Steve Round where there. I know Steve and I also know Bill Beswick very well. It was very easy for us both to come here.

"It was very disappointing to get relegated in the summer with Derby. As soon as the transfer window opened I was thrilled that it came off for us."

Christie's full debut at Derby was at the Riverside and he scored two goals in a 4-1 win for the Rams.

The 23-year-old former shop assistant said: "It's ironic that the place I made my name is the place where I am now going to play my football."

McClaren is confident both players, who signed along with £3.5m Bolton striker Michael Ricketts and loan capture Doriva from Celta Vigo on Friday, will prove to be good business.

He said: "These deals came up, they were for the benefit of Middlesbrough. The chairman and Keith Lamb (chief executive) have done brilliantly to get these players in.

"Riggott was priced at £7m when Liverpool wanted him not so long ago and it's no secret that we were quoted £9m for Malcolm in the summer."

Christie and Riggott were both expected to arrive on three-month loan deals, but rules state that no club is allowed to have more than two Nationwide League players on loan contracts.

And as Boro already had John Eustace on a one-month deal from Coventry City, something had to be arranged late on Friday to tie up moves for both players.

Chief executive Lamb admitted: "I woke up on Wednesday or Thursday morning and we had forgotten about having John Eustace here already. We eventually had to keep one on loan and make the other a permanent transfer."

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