Middlesbrough Set For An Exciting Season

As Antonio Barragan was unveiled on Thursday, you could just sense the joy of manager Aitor Karanka. In his speech, the former Real Madrid assistant manager said of his latest recruit, 'He is a player we know a lot about and he is a good addition to the squad'.

A good addition he is. The defender who can play as right-back or center-back is worth every penny of the £ 1.5 million he cost Boro. Middlesbrough have been hugely impressive in the transfer dealings so far this summer. The club chairman Steve Gibson has given his manager his total support and has shown faith in Karanka by giving him a sizeable transfer budget to keep Boro in the Premier League.

Other players have also joined the club. Bernado has come in from Gijon on a free transfer. Viktor Fischer also joined from Ajax for £ 3.8 million. Marten de Roon signed for Karanka's team from Atlanta for £12 million. The real coup so far has been the signing of multiple trophy winning goalkeeper Victor Valdes. These transfers go to show the ambition of the club and hopefully the experience and desire of the new signings will add to an already strong squad. 

Middlesbrough finished second behind Burnley in the Championship last season and played some wonderful football on their way. They conceded the least number of goals and were ranked seventh in goals scored. They also tight with Burnley for number of matches won. In all, Karanka's men deserved their qualification and if they can replicate the form and solidity they showed in Championship, there is every chance they will stay up this year. A fantastic season with a high final league position is certainly not beyond them.  Thier dominant pre-season display against York City must have impressed their manager. They were utterly dominant and grabbed six goals as they ran rings around their opponents. 

The club has promised more signings and are rumored to have secured a deal for Nevan Subotic. The defender has been out of favor at Dortmund and is willing to negotiate a move away from the German club. If the rumours are true, then the defense of Karanka's side will only be strengthened. Guillem Balague has claimed that Alvaro Negredo is in advanced talks with the club and the striker's experience in the Premier League will come in handy once the deal is completed. 

Recent transfer windows have shown that teams who get their business done early excel during the season and Middlesbrough can expect an interesting and exciting season.