MIDDLESBROUGH have confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Liam Roberts on a two-year deal.

Roberts joins the Teessiders as a free agent after turning down the offer of a new deal with Northampton Town.

The 27-year-old has made more than 200 senior appearances in a career that began with Walsall.

He joined Northampton at the start of last season, and kept 20 clean sheets in League Two, a record that saw him named in the PFA League Two Team of the Year.

The Cobblers were keen to keep him, but he rejected the opportunity to remain at Sixfields, instead opting to move to Teesside.

He is expected to be Boro's second-choice keeper next season, with Chris Wilder chasing a number of options as he pursues a new number one.

The Boro boss has held talks with Newcastle United over a deal for Karl Darlow, who is set to leave St James' Park once the Magpies complete the signing of Nick Pope from Burnley.

Boro have allowed two goalkeepers to leave the club already this summer, with Joe Lumley having signed a loan deal at Reading and Zach Hemming having rejoined Scottish side Kilmarnock.Â