Duncan Watmore reveals why he turned down move abroad to sign for Middlesbrough after Sunderland exit

The 26-year-old left Wearside after his contract expired in the summer and has been training with Boro for the last few weeks.

Watmore was close to moving to India before learning about the interest from Teesside and the chance to work with Neil Warnock at the Riverside.

When asked about working with the Boro boss, Watmore told the club’s website: “He’s been very honest and I’m really looking forward to working under him.

“He’s been a big name in the game for a long time now.

“There were some offers here and there and different options, but I was most excited for this one. It just felt right. There’s so many things going for this club and I’m excited to be a part of it.

“I feel in a really good place. I feel sharp. Game sharpness is different to training sharpness, but I feel like I can make an impact on games. I just want to get on the pitch and show what I can do.”

Watmore spent seven years at Sunderland but suffered several lengthy injury setbacks during his time on Wearside.

Yet the forward, who has signed a contract until mid-January with Boro, believes he’s in better shape than in previous years.

"I spent a lot of time at Sunderland and had a great time there,” Watmore added. “Obviously I had injuries and that’s probably my main challenge.

“I’ve worked hard to get back from those injuries, obviously it takes time to get that sharpness and that’s what these past few weeks have done.

“I just feel like I’m in a really good place and my body feels physically very robust and that’s probably something I haven’t had for a while.

“That’s what I’m excited for, just to try and put together a run of games, It’s a very good squad and there’s competition for places so I have to train very well to get in the squad.”

Watmore could make his Boro debut when the Teessiders host Norwich this weekend.

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