Huth's Boro unveiling on hold

Middlesbrough fans will have to wait until mid-July at the earliest to see new signing Robert Huth.

Boro confirmed last night that the 21-year-old German international will seal a move from Chelsea after the World Cup finals.

The Teessiders will unveil new manager Gareth Southgate’s first capture after his players return for pre-season training.

Most of Southgate’s players are due back on Friday, July 7, although those in the World Cup – Mark Schwarzer, Mark Viduka, Stewart Downing and now Huth – will be given a break.

The defender will hope he and Germany are still heavily involved in the competition by that date – the final is on Sunday, July 9.

The deal to bring Huth to the Riverside Stadium was in place before Southgate’s appointment was announced last Wednesday with chairman Steve Gibson confirming an undisclosed fee and personal terms had been agreed.

Agent Manfred Schulte said he expected the player to make a decision over the weekend, and he obliged by announcing he would sign a five-year deal during Germany’s press conference yesterday.

Huth said: “Nothing has been signed, but I think we will do it in the next few weeks. They (Boro) approached me after the season and I was very affected by the offer.

“I met Gareth Southgate and I had an intensive conversation with him. It was very interesting.

“For me the most important thing was to play. I had offers from other English clubs, but they all had four or five central defenders, so I decided to go to Middlesbrough where I will see enough playing time.”

Huth managed just 42 league games in his five years at Stamford Bridge, but tasted Champions League football and became a regular in the Germany squad.