Middlesbrough FC transfer news: Defender signs new deal as Joe Lumley explains Riverside move from QPR

The 18-year-old, who joined Boro’s academy at under-9s level, signed his first professional contract with the Teessiders in 2019 and has been a regular for the under-23 side this campaign.

Sykes’ form for Boro’s youth team earned him a call up to the senior squad for the Teessiders’ FA Cup tie at Brentford in January, when he was an unused substitute.

The news comes after fellow academy graduates Jack Robinson and Isiah Cornet signed new contracts with the club.

Boro have also agreed to sign 26-year-old goalkeeper Joe Lumley when his contract expires at QPR in June.

The shot stopper impressed against Boro in Rangers’ 2-1 win at the Riverside in April and wants to be the Teessiders’ No 1 between the sticks.

“For me, I don’t want to coming on from the bench. I want to be starting every game," Lumley told Boro’s website.

“Sometimes that is your job though - come on and help win the game.

“I feel I did that for QPR [at the Riverside recently] and hopefully I can do that for Middlesbrough now.

I’ll make sure I’m ready for every game and work hard every single day and let’s see where that can take us.

“My ambition since I was a young kid was to play for England. The stepping stone to do that is to play in the Premier League.

“I feel like joining Middlesbrough gives me that opportunity to get to the Premier League and fulfil my ambitions.”

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