Middlesbrough FC

• Nickname:
• Founded:1876
• Manager:Tony Mowbray

• Ground:
• Capacity:NaN

O'Neil seals Boro switch

01 Sep 2007 - 06:43:19

Click To Enlarge

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate has successfully concluded his pursuit of Gary O'Neil by signing the Portsmouth midfielder in a £5million deal.

O'Neil had been tracked by Southgate throughout the summer before the Boro boss finally landed his man late on transfer deadline day.

The 24-year-old has signed a three–year deal after passing a medical at Boro's Rockcliffe Park training complex.

The former England Under-21 international had only signed a new five-year contract at Pompey 12 months ago, but was allowed to head north for talks on Friday after the two clubs agreed a fee.

O'Neil broke into the first team at the South Coast while still a teenager during he 2001-02 campaign and has gone on to make almost 200 appearances.

"I didn't think he would be available but he has now become available for various reasons at Portsmouth and he's somebody I've been an admirer of for some time," revealed Southgate.