Boro complete Mendieta loan deal

Middlesbrough have finally snapped up Spanish international Gaizka Mendieta on a 12-month loan from Lazio and put in place a deal which could keep him at the Riverside Stadium for a further four years.

The 29-year-old midfielder signed on the dotted line after passing a medical and training with his new team-mates on Thursday.

"Gaizka Mendieta has today joined Middlesbrough on a year's loan from Lazio and all parties have agreed the initial deal will then be extended for a further four years at the end of the season," said a Middlesbrough spokesman.

Boro boss Steve McClaren, who will unveil his latest capture at a press conference on Friday afternoon, was delighted to have captured a man he saw at close quarters many times during his days at Manchester United.

"We're absolutely delighted to have signed Gaizka," he said.

"We have worked extremely hard and beaten a lot of other clubs to bring to Middlesbrough a truly top quality player.

"His signing shows not only what an attraction we now are for top players, but just how ambitious we are too.

"I came across Gaizka many times in European competition when I was with Manchester United and he was at Valencia.

"He was undoubtedly one of the best players in Europe at that time. He was so good that Lazio paid nearly £30million for him.

"As Boro fans know, we've spent all summer searching for a quality player to replace Geremi on the wide right. I'm confident we've got the ideal player in Gaizka.

"He is extremely skilful and we believe he'll bring much creativity to our play, while also contributing towards our goalscoring."

Mendieta has scored eight times in 40 appearances for his country, but has fallen on hard times since his move to Lazio.

The Bilbao-born midfielder, who began his career at Spanish second division club Deportivo Castellon, made a £30million switch from Valencia where he reached the Champions League Final in 2000 and 2001.

But things did not work out at the Stadio Olimpico and he spent much of last season on loan back in Spain at Barcelona.

However, the Catalan giants decided not to make his move permanent and Boro beat off competition from Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao.