CHRIS WILDER remains determined to make five more summer signings despite yesterday’s signing of Matthew Hoppe on a four-year deal.

Hoppe has joined Middlesbrough from Real Mallorca, and was paraded on the Riverside pitch ahead of last night’s 1-0 defeat to Barnsley which saw the Teessiders crash out of the Carabao Cup.

The USA international is the second striker to have joined Boro this summer, following Marcus Forss, but Wilder will continue to push for the acquisition of two more forwards before the transfer window closes, with the Teessiders having lodged a bid for Groningen’s Jorgen Strand Larsen.

He is also targeting two more midfielders following the departure of Marcus Tavernier, and remains keen to land a left-footed centre-half, with Boro continuing to push for the capture of Hull City’s Jacob Greaves.

“He (Hoppe) wanted the number nine shirt, which I quite liked, but he’s not got it because we’re still going to get a number nine, and we’ll get a number ten in too,” said Wilder, who watched Josh Benson’s stoppage-time strike condemn his side to defeat last night.

“We’ll get a number four, a number five and a number 11 in too because they’re the five numbers that we’ve kept spare. I think that tells a story – and that’s the message from myself and the football club.

“We know that with these numbers we’ve kept open, we’re still trying to sign more senior players because we know we need those players. We’re willing to pay prices that are fair and competitive, but we’re not going to over-pay.

“I had a meeting with Steve (Gibson) yesterday, and I know where his head is at. We’re all on the same page in terms of what we’re all after, but it’s not as easy as people think it is and we’ll just keep working away. I’m incredibly confident that before the window shuts, we’ll get to where we want to get.”

Hoppe’s arrival was confirmed yesterday afternoon, with Wilder hoping the 21-year-old can rediscover the form that saw him called up to the US national squad when he broke through in the youth ranks of LA Galaxy.

He became the first American to score a hat-trick in the Bundesliga when he moved to Europe to join Schalke, but lost his way somewhat with Mallorca before opting to join Boro.

“He’s come in as a development striker on a four-year deal,” said Wilder. “He’s a US international and he’s got a decent pedigree and background. He maybe lost his way a little bit, but he’s gone for decent money in the past.

“There’s been quite a bit of talk around him, and we know how difficult it has been to find players and sign them, with big numbers on. He’s one that we can develop and work with, and he’ll get better.

“He’s not going to come in on Sunday and lead the line and score a hat-trick, that’s one thing for certain. He needs work."

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