Tuesday 18 July 2017 07:57, UK
Middlesbrough have completed the signing of Britt Assombalonga for a club-record fee.
The prolific 24-year-old striker arrives from Nottingham Forest, where he scored 30 goals in 47 Championship starts.
However, since arriving at Forest from Peterborough for £5.5 in 2014, Assombalonga has been unfortunate with injuries, and a knee issue ruled him out for much of the 2015-16 season.
But he signed a new five-year deal last summer after proving his fitness and now heads to Boro, who scored just 27 goals last season and were relegated from the Premier League.
Assombalonga told Middlesbrough's official website: "I can't wait to get started and train with the boys. I'm glad it's completed and I can focus on what's ahead now.
"I can't wait to meet the manager and get ready for next season. There's a good feeling around the place.
"From the minute I walked in, it felt right."
Boro are hoping to bounce straight back into the top flight and have been busy strengthening their squad.
Martin Braithwaite, Jonny Howson, Cyrus Christie and Connor Roberts (on loan) have already been added to manager Garry Monk's squad and Assombalonga becomes Boro's fifth signing of the summer.
A spokesperson for Nottingham Forest FC said: "Middlesbrough FC outbid various other clubs to sign Britt Assombalonga.
"As a club we felt that, since the fee agreed met the buyout clause in his contract, and he wanted to move, it would be wrong to stand in his way."
Assombalonga added: "I would like to thank Nottingham Forest for all their help and support especially whilst I was injured.
"They have shown full commitment to me to continue but I felt that this was too good an opportunity for me to pass up at this stage of my career."
