MIDDLESBROUGH have confirmed the signing of Finn Azaz on a permanent basis from Aston Villa.

Azaz is Boro’s first arrival of the January transfer window, but the 23-year-old midfielder will not be available for tomorrow’s FA Cup third-round tie against the club he has just left, Villa.

He is also ineligible for Tuesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Chelsea as he is cup-tied, having played for Plymouth Argyle, where he was on loan for the first half of the season, in matches against Leyton Orient and Crystal Palace. As a result, he will hope to make his Boro debut in next weekend’s return to league action at Millwall.

Azaz, who will wear the number 20 shirt, has signed a four-and-a-half year contract on Teesside, having impressed during his spell at Home Park in the first half of the campaign.

A graduate of West Brom’s academy, Azaz has already made more than 150 senior appearances, scoring 25 goals.

He spent the 2020-21 season on loan at Cheltenham Town from West Brom, before signing for Aston Villa the following summer.

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He scored seven goals in 45 matches during a loan spell at Newport County, and has spent the last 18 months with Plymouth.

An attacking-midfielder who can play in a variety of positions behind the centre-forward, Azaz made a total of 67 appearances for the Pilgrims, scoring 15 goals, and helped the Devon club win promotion from League One last season.

“I’m delighted to bring Finn to the club,” said Boro head coach Michael Carrick. “He’s an exciting player who already comes with good experience. He’s had a good season so far, and we’re really looking forward to working with him."