MIDDLESBROUGH have signed Jordan Archer as a goalkeeping replacement for Dejan Stojanovic, with the former number two having left Teesside in an attempt to secure a place at the European Championships.

Archer joined Boro on a short-term deal to the end of the season yesterday, and will provide cover for established first-choice Marcus Bettinelli.

The 27-year-old began his career as a trainee with Tottenham, and made a name for himself during a four-year spell at Millwall in which he racked up more than 150 senior appearances and helped the Lions win promotion to the Championship.

He spent the first half of this season with Scottish Premier League side Motherwell, making four senior starts as he stepped in for the injured Trevor Carson.

However, he was offered the chance to move to Teesside when Boro boss Neil Warnock sanctioned Stojanovic’s departure on a season-long loan to German side St Pauli.

Archer will deputise for Bettinelli, but could make his Boro debut in Saturday’s FA Cup third-round tie at Brentford with Warnock set to make changes for the game in West London.

“I’ve looked at Jordan the last few years,” said the Boro boss. “Ever since he was at Millwall, he’s a player I’ve liked.

“Dejan made it clear to me that he wants to go and play to try and get in the Austria team for the Euros and reluctantly I agreed to that.

“I thought why not give Jordan the opportunity to show us what he can do over the next few months and I’m delighted to have him on board.”

Stojanovic moves to St Pauli having made eight appearances for Boro since signing from Swiss side St Gallen last January.

His only senior outing of the current campaign came in September’s Carabao Cup first-round win over Shrewsbury Town.