Middlesbrough new boy eyes promotion as Premier League winger linked on deadline day

Middlesbrough new boy Rokas Pukstas has set his sights on promotion into the Premier League after becoming the tenth new signing of the summer transfer window at the Riverside Stadium.

The American midfielder agreed a permanent move to Teesside over the weekend after Boro agreed an undisclosed fee with Croatian club Hajduk Split last week. Pukstas featured for his now-former club in their Europa Conference League play-off tie against Rakow Czestochowa on Thursday night and he scored an extra-time winner to send Hadjuk into the league phase of UEFA’s tertiary club competition.

The midfielder spent time in Teesside over the weekend before completing the formalities of his deal to join Boro - and he left nobody in any doubt over his aims for his first season with the club. He told the club website: “I'm delighted to be here. I had a call with the coach and directors here. He's a fascinating coach, the people are lovely and it reminds me of home. Everything seems aligned now I'm here. I want to play my part in helping the club to the Premier League."

Middlesbrough linked with Premier League winger

Boro have reportedly made contact with Premier League club Hull City over a possible move for winger Liam Millar. The former Liverpool and Basel player joined the Tigers during the summer of 2024 and was part of the squad that secured promotion into the top flight at Boro’s expense with a Championship play-off final win against Kim Hellberg’s side in May. The 44-times capped Canada international has featured as a substitute in both of Hull’s league fixtures so far this season as he came off the bench in a home win against Manchester United on the opening day of the campaign before scoring the only goal of the game in Saturday’s visit to Coventry City.

Despite that involvement over the first week of the season, there have been reports Millar could leave Hull before Tuesday night’s transfer deadline and Sky Sports have reported Boro have made contact with the Tigers in a bid to secure a late agreement. However, they are far from the only club said to be interested with Birmingham City and Stoke City also said to be keen on the winger.

Championship clubs ‘weigh up’ move for former Boro man

Alex Gilbert was one of several players that left Middlesbrough at the end of last season when his contract came to a close. The former Brentford midfielder joined Boro in 2023 and went on to make over 40 appearances before departing when last season came to an end. The 24-year-old remains a free agent - but one report has suggested a number of Boro’s Championship rivals could make a move to secure his services. Journalist Pete O’Rourke tweeted: “A number of Championship clubs are weighing up moves for former Middlesbrough midfielder Alex Gilbert on a free transfer following his departure from Boro earlier this summer.”

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