SOL Bamba has become the latest player to join Middlesbrough after signing a one-year contract linking up with Neil Warnock for a third time. 

Bamba, 36, will be on the club's books as a player but will be working alongside the club's academy youngsters. 

The central defender spent time with the Under 23's while the rest of the squad were down in Devon for a week long training camp and he impressed Boro's hierachy with the way he conducted himself around the youngsters.

Bamba, who has over 350 league appearances to his name long with 46 caps for the Ivory Coast, will also give Neil Warnock options at the back.

Warnock said: “Initially Sol had asked if he could come and train with us, and I was more than happy. He’s a great lad to have around.

"When we were away in Cornwall he was at Rockliffe and helped with the U23s and U18s, and everyone was really impressed with him.

“I have to be honest, I didn’t expect him to look as sharp as he has done after everything he's been through, but he’s done remarkably well.

"At the moment the priority for him is to concentrate on his fitness and being in the squad, but we want him to be involved with the U23s as well. I feel he's just the type of person we need to be involved with that age group.

“He has bags of experience and he will be a real asset for us both on and off the pitch. I'm delighted to have him on board."