Middlesbrough

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Sheffield United midfielder James Quinn is a target for Middlesbrough. The Sun says Boro are set to bid £2million for Sheffield United's Quinn. The midfielder, 22, impressed Boro when the sides met in the FA Cup in March.

[Lemmy]

Middlesbrough have completed the signing of Paris St-Germain midfielder Didier Digard for £4m.

Digard had been suspended by the French club after he accused them of standing in the way of his move to Boro.

But the 21-year-old Frenchman has now passed a medical and signed a four-year contract at the Riverside.

Manager Gareth Southgate told the club website: "Didier is a holding midfielder who is a good athlete and a strong tackler."

Digard becomes Southgate's second signing within 24 hours following the capture of striker Marvin Emnes from Sparta Rotterdam.

Southgate added: "As with Emnes, he is another exciting, young talent who fits the profile of hungry, ambitious players that we want here."

BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Middlesbrough | Middlesbrough wrap up Digard deal

[Lemmy]

Middlesbrough first team coach Steve Harrison has left the club after seven years at the Riverside Stadium.

The 59-year-old joined from Aston Villa to work alongside former manager Steve McClaren in 2001, but has suffered with health problems in recent seasons.

Previously Harrison had a spell coaching England under Graham Taylor and also coached Watford, Millwall, Crystal Palace, Wolves and Preston.

Steve Agnew steps up from reserve team to take over as first team coach.

BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Middlesbrough | Boro coach Harrison leaves club

I hope he gets better

[Lemmy]

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has tipped new signings Didier Digard and Marvin Emnes to break into the first-team next season.

The midfield duo agreed terms with the club last Friday and Southgate hopes to see them play their part in the forthcoming Premier League campaign.

"They've got the ability to break into the team," he told BBC Look North.

"They have to have the belief that they can do that and they will feel that is their ambition, it's a bonus for us."

Meanwhile Southgate said would not be drawn on the future of experienced midfielder George Boateng.

But he said he believes his side will be strong enough to cope without the Dutchman's presence.

"We have to have people here that want to be here," he said.

"I'm very relaxed about it, we're young but that gives us an energy and an enthusiasm, it's down to George where he wants to play his football next year."

BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Middlesbrough | Southgate tips newcomers to shine

[Lemmy]

Marvin Emnes is only 20 and cost 3.2 million pounds, while Didier Digard is 21 and cost 4 million pounds.

[Lemmy]

Middlesbrough striker Afonso Alves has won the arbitration case filed against him by Dutch side AZ Alkmaar.

AZ had demanded a payment of around £6m from the Brazilian claiming he had signed a pre-contract agreement prior to securing a deal at the Riverside.

The judge ruled that the contract was incomplete as it did not feature the signature of agent Wagner Ribeiro, denying AZ a compensation fee.

Alves joined Boro in January from Dutch side Heerenveen for an undisclosed fee.

BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Middlesbrough | Alves wins AZ arbitration ruling

[Lemmy]

Middlesbrough have been fined £20,000 and a suspended £30,000 after finishing with the worst disciplinary record in the Premier League last season.

Gareth Southgate's men racked up 85 yellow cards and two reds.

Their worst individual offender was George Boateng - who has since moved to Hull - who was given nine yellow cards.

Burnley, Darlington and Macclesfield were all also fined after finishing bottom of the disciplinary tables in their respective leagues.

Championship side Burnley were fined £10,000 with a further £10,000 suspended, League Two's Darlington were fined £3,000 with £5,000 suspended and Macclesfield received a suspended £3,000 fine.

BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Middlesbrough | Boro fined for discipline record