Ex-Liverpool defender joins Middlesbrough, Negredo, Ramirez, Subotic to follow

Middlesbrough have signed a 'good lad' and a man who knows Premier League football well.
Next man in? Gaston RamirezNext man in? Gaston Ramirez
Next man in? Gaston Ramirez

That was the message from Aitor Karanka after he made Valencia defender Antonio Barragán his SIXTH Boro summer signing – with the prospect of further business.

Barragán, who could start the club’s Premier League campaign at right back against Stoke City on August 13, completed his move today.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The 29-year-old former Liverpool teenager put pen to paper on a three-year contract after completing a medical at Rockliffe.

Barragán certainly knows his way about the defensive areas having played over 100 times for Valencia in La Liga, having also represented Deportivo La Coruna and Valladolid.

Head coach Aitor Karanka was thrilled to sign his fellow Spaniard.

“I am really pleased,” said Karanka in an interview with www.mfc.co.uk.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Antonio is a player we know a lot about and he is a good addition to the squad.

“He is a good lad, and he has played a lot of games for Valencia.

“Antonio knows this country as well because he was at Liverpool as a young player. He is a good signing for us.”

Barragán follows Bernardo Espinosa, Viktor Fischer, Jordan McGhee, Marten de Roon and Victor Valdes through the entrance door at the Riverside.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Boro are known to be close to tying up a loan move for Barragan’s old club-mate Alvaro Negredo, with an option to sign the striker on a permanent basis.

Deals for Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic and Uruguayan midfielder Gaston Ramirez, who spent the second half of last season on loan to Boro from Southampton, are also in the pipeline.