Brighton striker Aaron Connolly has joined on loan until the end of the season.
The 21-year-old Republic of Ireland international has completed his move to Teesside, despite strong interest from elsewhere.
Indeed, Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder has explained his reasoning behind the signing,
Speaking to the club’s website, Wilder said: “I’m delighted. It’s an area of the pitch we need to improve in terms of competition for places.
“He’s a young player, he’s played in the Premier League a number of times, and he’s from a technical football club. He’s also played for his country.
“He gives us pace, can finish at the top of the pitch and gives us competition for the players around him.”
Connelly had made 45 Premier League appearances over five seasons with the Seagulls, netting five times in the process.
The Oranmore-born player has also featured eight times for the Republic of Ireland.
![Preston North End boss Ryan Lowe wants to reunite with Plymouth Argyle striker Ryan Hardie during the January transfer window. (Football League World) (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2022/01/03/09/GettyImages-1358472024.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
1. Lowe wants Hardie at Preston
Preston North End boss Ryan Lowe wants to reunite with Plymouth Argyle striker Ryan Hardie during the January transfer window. (Football League World) (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
![Nottingham Forest, Hoffenheim and Bayer Leverkusen are interested in signing Leeds United full-back Cody Drameh in the January transfer window. (Daily Mail) (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2022/01/03/09/GettyImages-1359747791.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
2. Forest want Drameh
Nottingham Forest, Hoffenheim and Bayer Leverkusen are interested in signing Leeds United full-back Cody Drameh in the January transfer window. (Daily Mail) (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
![Premier League side Newcastle United are currently keeping an eye on Middlesbrough’s Marcus Tavernier as one of the players on their shortlist. (Daily Mail) (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2022/01/03/09/GettyImages-1358434561.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
3. Toon interested in Tavernier
Premier League side Newcastle United are currently keeping an eye on Middlesbrough’s Marcus Tavernier as one of the players on their shortlist. (Daily Mail) (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
![Lazio striker Vedat Muriqi is unlikely to join Hull City this month despite the Tigers being keen on signing the Kosovo international in a bid to solve their attacking problems. (Hull Daily Mail) (Photo by Marco Rosi - SS Lazio/Getty Images)](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2022/01/03/09/GettyImages-1359568114%20%281%29.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
4. Tigers unlikely to sign Muriqi
Lazio striker Vedat Muriqi is unlikely to join Hull City this month despite the Tigers being keen on signing the Kosovo international in a bid to solve their attacking problems. (Hull Daily Mail) (Photo by Marco Rosi - SS Lazio/Getty Images)