Southgate on verge of signing German Huth

MIDDLESBROUGH boss Gareth Southgate was preparing to unveil his first signing yesterday as Robert Huth, 21, had a medical.

Boro agreed a fee with Chelsea – understood to be around £5m – and personal terms with the player before the World Cup finals, but his involvement with the German squad meant his move could not be finalised until now.

The host nation eventually finished third after beating Portugal 3-1 on Saturday, and the Berlin-born player – who managed just one appearance in the tournament after losing his place through injury – wasted little time in heading for the north-east afterwards.