TONY PULIS believes Aden Flint has already become a £12m player after swapping Bristol City for Middlesbrough.

The 6ft 6ins centre back joined 'Boro earlier this summer in a £7m move from Ashton Gate and has been ever present in the Teessiders' unbeaten start to the season.

Boro's comfortable 2-0 win at City saw them remain top of the Championship, a point above Leeds United.

Middlesbrough manager Pulis is convinced he got a bargain with the 29-year-old, who has replaced Ben Gibson, sold to Premier League Burnley for £15m.

“I'm glad we signed him when we did because you could put another four or five million pounds on him the way the market is going,” said Pulis.

“He was a very good signing for us at the right time which was specifically thought out, so it was a good deal.

“He's an inspirational player and he's a danger at set-plays as well.”

Flint believes he is destined for the Premier League with 'Boro.

“I just felt it was time to progress my career. I’m 29 and, with no disrespect to Bristol City, I felt it was a better chance and opportunity to get promoted to the Premier League,” he said.

Flint was given a superb welcome back from the City fans after 247 games in five years and hopes he can replicate the form he showed in his time at Ashton Gate.

“I got a really good reception and obviously that's nice,” he added. “I really enjoyed myself in my years at Bristol City, it's a great club and I played some of my best football – although I hope I can go on and say the same at Middlesbrough.”

But with West Bromwich Albion and Leeds United next up as their Championship opponents, Flint isn't getting carried away.

“We’re not going to get ahead of ourselves. It’s four games unbeaten but we’ve got two tough games against West Brom and Leeds to come – we’re looking forward to that,” he said.

Flint scored an impressive 38 goals for Bristol City and went close to scoring against his former club with a first-half header that flew over the bar.

“I thought I was going to score,” he said. “It was a free header and I was nudged at the last second which put me off. It was a fantastic chance missed.”

Pulis isn't happy with the depth in his squad and wants to strengthen before the loan market closes on August 31.

“I still haven't got the players,” said the Welshman. “The lads have done fantastically well but we need more players in with more quality.

“The league is relentless; you're churning out three-game weeks 14 times in a season.”