NEIL WARNOCK has completed his first signing as Middlesbrough manager, with centre-half Grant Hall having agreed a three-year deal.

Hall was a free agent after turning down the offer of a new deal at QPR, and while he also held talks with Swansea, he opted to join Boro after holding talks with the club earlier in the week.

He travelled to the North-East to complete a medical, and was officially confirmed as Warnock's first summer signing yesterday afternoon. He will join up with his new Boro team-mates for the first time when pre-season training begins later this month.

A 28-year-old who has previously spent time at Brighton and Tottenham, Hall made 119 league starts for QPR after moving to Loftus Road in 2015.

He captained QPR during his five years at the club, and fits the mould of centre-half Warnock is looking to recruit this summer.

Strong, vocal and aerially-proficient, he will supplement a defence that has been shorn of Daniel Ayala, Ryan Shotton, George Friend and Marvin Johnson in recent weeks, although the latter duo could yet end up signing new deals.

"I’ve known Grant for a few years now,” said Warnock. "Everyone knows I’m looking at the spine of the team, and he’s the right fit for what we need. Grant is a smashing lad and I’m sure the fans will really take to him."

Warnock has also held discussions with Northampton Town over their skipper, Charlie Goode, another centre-half whose physical attributes could help address some of the shortcomings that were apparent within the Boro squad for much of last season.

At the other end of the pitch, Warnock continues to target attacking reinforcements, with Wigan Athletic’s Kieffer Moore one of a number of players currently under consideration.