[themaclad]

hampionship side Middlesbrough have signed midfielders Lewis O'Brien and Sam Greenwood on loan from Nottingham Forest and Leeds for the season.

O'Brien, 24, has been a peripheral figure at Forest, playing just 17 games, and was left out of their Premier League squad after January.

Greenwood, 21, has scored once in 35 appearances for Leeds, following a move from Arsenal in August 2020.

He can feature in midfield and attack, and has featured twice this season.

"Lewis has tasted success before," Boro boss Michael Carrick said of former Huddersfield player O'Brien, who featured in 131 games for the Terriers.

"He's got good experience, he's a good age, and he offers something different to what we have here.

Carrick added: "Sam is a really talented player. He's two-footed and he gives us greater flexibility."

After he was left out of Forest's 25-man group, O'Brien spent the end of last season on loan to DC United in the US Major League Soccer division.

He was a major part of Carlos Corberan's Huddersfield squad that made it to the 2021-22 Championship play-off final, coincidentally losing to Forest at Wembley.

Greenwood returns to his native north east with this move, having left Sunderland for Arsenal earlier in his career.

He made his Leeds breakthrough under Marcelo Bielsa and continued to play a part last season, under Jesse Marsch and Sam Allardyce.

[themaclad]

Middlesbrough have signed Sierra Leone international Alex Bangura from Dutch side SC Cambuur on a four-year deal.

The 24-year-old, who can play anywhere down the left side, has scored five goals in 113 games for the second-tier side, and has Eredivisie experience.

Bangura began his career with Rotterdam giants Feyenoord but failed to make a first-team appearance at the De Kuyp.

Meanwhile, midfielder Martin Payero has left Boro for Italian side Udinese on a permanent, four-year deal.

The 24-year-old played 16 games and scored once for the Teessiders following his move from Banfield in 2021.

He spent last season on loan to Boca Juniors in his native Argentina.

Neither Cambuur or Boro have revealed the details of the transfer fee involved for Bangura.

"He's a really exciting signing. He's a left-back and he's captained his team," boss Michael Carrick said.

"He's a good character with a great personality and he won't have any problem fitting into the group."

The deal was described by the Dutch club as a "win-win" in their reporting of the transfer.

"Alex has made fantastic progress in recent years and was ready for this next step," Cambuur technical director Etienne Reijnen said.

"As SC Cambuur, we are a club where - as a young talent - are given opportunities and tools to develop further and this transfer shows what is possible."

[themaclad]

Middlesbrough have signed Finn Azaz from Aston Villa three days after his recall from a loan at Plymouth Argyle.

The attacking midfielder, 23, scored seven goals in 26 league appearances for Argyle this campaign, having also spent last season on loan at Home Park.

Azaz has signed a four-and-a-half year deal at Boro for an undisclosed fee.

"He's an exciting player who already comes with good experience," Boro head coach Michael Carrick told the club website.

"He's had a good season so far, and we're really looking forward to working with him."

Azaz came through the West Brom academy and joined Villa in 2021.

He did not make a first-team appearance for either the Baggies or Villa, but has played more than 150 games in loan spells at Cheltenham, Newport and with the Pilgrims, where he was a key member of the side that won promotion from League One.

He signed a contract extension with Villa last summer and was loaned out to Plymouth again, but recalled this week ahead of his permanent move to Teesside.

Azaz is not eligible for Boro's FA Cup third-round game against Aston Villa on Saturday.

[themaclad]

Middlesbrough have signed Leeds United defender Luke Ayling on loan until the end of the season.

The full-back, 32, played 268 games for Leeds after joining in 2016, but Sunday's FA Cup outing at Peterborough was his first match since November.

Ayling, who began his career at Arsenal and also played for Yeovil and Bristol City, is out of contract this summer.

Leeds called him "one of the best ever signings in the club's history" and "a tremendous servant".

"We're delighted to bring Luke to the club," Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick told his club's website.

"He is a player with good experience, he's a promotion winner, and he's played at the highest level.

"He's a terrific character as well and we see him as a great fit for what we have here. He's exactly what we're looking for at the club."

London-born Ayling lost his place in Daniel Farke's Leeds side to teenager Archie Gray, while Djed Spence also had spells in the team before his loan from Tottenham was ended earlier this month.

Leeds have indicated the loan move marks the end of Ayling's career with them.

Boro, currently four points off the Championship play-off places, are without right-back Anfernee Dijksteel because of injury, while fellow full-back Tommy Smith is likely to remain absent for the rest of the campaign with a long-term ankle problem.

[themaclad]

Middlesbrough have signed defender Luke Thomas from Championship rivals Leicester City on loan until the end of the season.

The 22-year-old had been on loan to Premier League club Sheffield United in the first part of the season, playing 13 games before his recall this month.

Thomas won the FA Cup with hometown side Leicester, and has two goals in 85 games for the Foxes.

"He's a good addition to the squad," said Boro boss Michael Carrick.

"He has plenty of experience, and he will bring a balance to what we have. We're looking forward to working with him."

Boro are short of cover down the left, with Alex Bangura out injured.

Syston-born Thomas can play centre-back, and further forward down the left in midfield.

[themaclad]

Middlesbrough full-back Isaiah Jones has signed a new three-year contract.

The 24-year-old joined Boro from non-league side Tooting & Mitcham in 2019.

He made his league debut for the Teessiders in August 2021 after loan spells with St Johnstone and Queen of the South and has made 108 Championship appearances, scoring 10 goals.

Michael Carrick's side are eighth in the second tier, eight points off the play-offs with three games of the season to play.