Southgate secures St Ledger signing in time for Boro's trip to Wednesday

15 September 2009 15:06
Middlesbrough have signed Republic of Ireland defender Sean St Ledger on a three-month loan deal from Preston. The Teessiders will look to make it permanent £1million transfer in January. St Ledger could make his debut at Sheffield Wednesday tonight after manager Gareth Southgate put him straight into the Boro squad for the visit to Hillsborough. The 24-year-old, who has been given the squad No 12, met his new team-mates for the first time at the team hotel today. Southgate said: 'I'm really delighted to be able to bring Sean in. He's somebody we think is already a class act. 'He reads the game really well, he's got great composure and we think he'll be a good foil for our other central defenders. 'He has established himself in the Irish national team and has been player of the year  for a very good Preston side for the last two years.' Southgate is now hoping to sign Hull City and Ireland striker Caleb Folan in a similar deal before West Brom visit the Riverside at the weekend.

Source: Daily_Mail