Middlesbrough FC

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• Manager:Tony Mowbray

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Emnes secures Boro switch

04 Jul 2008 - 09:48:36

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Middlesbrough have swooped to sign Dutch midfielder Marvin Emnes in a £3.2million deal from Sparta Rotterdam.

The 20-year-old winger is Boro boss Gareth Southgate's first signing of the summer after putting pen to paper on a four-year contract at the Riverside Stadium.

Emnes looks set to be employed as an attacking midfielder with the Teessiders with Southgate keen to bolster his options in that department following the departures of Fabio Rochemback and Gaizka Mendieta earlier in the summer.

"We feel we have signed an exciting young player in Marvin," Southgate told the club's official website.

"Last season was his breakthrough year at Sparta Rotterdam and he ended the campaign with a flurry, scoring eight goals in his final 10 games.

"He can play anywhere across the front line, so he has versatility to go with pace, energy and technical skills.

"Marvin is very enthusiastic about coming to England and the challenge of Premier League football.

"He also fits the profile of the sort of players we want at Middlesbrough in that he is a young player with hunger, energy and pace."