Boro sign Gary O'Neil from Portsmouth

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate confirmed Gary O'Neil has signed from Portsmouth.

Southgate targeted the Portsmouth player after being handed the reins at the Riverside Stadium last summer, but had to wait until this week to make the breakthrough.

The 24-year-old underwent a medical on Teesside this afternoon after the two clubs agreed a £5million fee but a late complication had to be overcome before the deal went through.

Southgate told Sky Sports News: “We’ve just completed the deal, we’ve very pleased and I’m looking forward to getting home to bed!

“Gary had an injury before the end of last season and had a little operation, so we needed to be sure everything was okay with that and that’s why there was a delay earlier in the evening.

“He’s our player now so we’re really chuffed.”