Alves deal sets Boro record
31 Jan 2008 - 23:32:18
Middlesbrough have smashed their transfer record after completing the signing of Brazilian striker Afonso Alves.
The 26-year-old forward finally put pen to paper on a four-and-a-half year deal on Teesside late on transfer deadline day after Boro reached agreement with Dutch side Heerenveen.
The fee remains undisclosed but Boro's previous record transfer fee was the £8million they paid Italian side Empoli for striker Massimo Maccarone in 2002.
Alves' move had been shrouded in doubt after he appeared to sign for AZ Alkmaar earlier in the transfer window, only for the Dutch FA to rule the contract was not binding and he was free to discuss terms with other clubs.
The eight-times times capped Brazil international was in attendance as Gareth Southgate's side defeated Wigan Athletic 1-0 at the Riverside Stadium earlier in the week.
"I'm delighted to have completed the deal," Southgate told the club's official website.
"As usual at this time of the year, it was a late night but Afonso brings us something different in that he is a goalscorer who does much of his best work inside the box.
"His goalscoring record in Holland in particular but in Sweden too has been prolific.
"We hope he will reproduce that sort of form for us in the Premier League."