JEREMY SARMIENTO says he "can't wait to show what he can do" after completing his move to Middlesbrough.
Sarmiento has joined on an initial loan until the end of the season, when the deal will then be made permanent. The fee is £3.2m.
The winger becomes Boro's third signing of the January window, following Leo Castledine and Fin Munroe through the door.
The arrival of the 23-year-old is a major boost for boss Kim Hellberg, who has long admired the winger.
Sarmiento has twice won promotion while on loan at Ipswich Town and Burnley, so arrives at the Riverside with rich Championship experience.
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He said: “I’m very pleased to finally be here. The ambition from everyone at the club is what attracted me to Boro.
"I’m hungry to get going and I can’t wait to show people what I can do.”
Sarmiento was identified as a leading target this month, but Boro looked to have turned their attention elsewhere at the start of last week after failing to come to an agreement with Brighton.
Birmingham then looked set to win the battle for the former Benfica youngster, but Sarmiento is understood to have made clear his preference was a move to the Riverside, which prompted Brighton to bring Boro back to the negotiating table.
Sarmiento, who spent the first half of the season on loan with Cremonese in Serie A, will be available to make his debut in Saturday's game against Norwich City.
Brighton's sporting director Jason Ayto said: "This is a great opportunity for Jeremy and gives him the possibility of a permanent move if things go well at a club challenging for promotion to the Premier League.
"He knows the Championship well having been part of two promotion-winning squads with Ipswich Town and Burnley.
"I haven't had the opportunity of working with him, but I know he has been a great professional and a pleasure to work with. We wish him every success at Middlesbrough."
Boro are still assessing the market and remain active in their search for a striker ahead of next Monday's deadline.
Exits are inevitable as well, with Boro needing to create space in their 25-man EFL squad for Sarmiento and Adilson Malanda.
Seny Dieng is available to leave, while Micah Hamilton is also on the fringes of the squad having failed to take his starting opportunity against Blackburn on Boxing Day.
Sverre Nypan has struggled at the Riverside but a deal would have to be agreed with Manchester City if the Norwegian's loan was to be cut short.
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