Neto Borges has joined Middlesbrough ahead of their meeting with Cardiff City this Saturday.
The transfer window is set to shut in just over 48 hours but Boro are continuing to work hard to improve their squad.
After the recent additions of Micah Hamilton and Tommy Conway, Michael Carrick added another player to his ranks this week.
Middlesbrough signed Neto Borges for £1.3m from Clermont Foot 63 on Tuesday afternoon.
The left-back arrives to replace Alex Bangura, who is sidelined with a long-term injury picked up in pre-season.
The Brazilian was at the Riverside Stadium on August 27th, watching on as Middlesbrough were hammered 5-0 by Stoke City.
After his signing, there has been much excitement around the defender, in no small part due to his Brazilian heritage and the links to Boro legend, Juninho.
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Pundit makes hilarious Neto Borges joke
Borges turned down a Champions League side to join Middlesbrough, a decision that should quickly make him a fan-favourite on Teesside.
The 27-year-old’s official announcement video has also caught the eye of many a Boro fan, including talkSPORT pundit Phil Spencer.
Middlesbrough posted the video to X/Twitter, with Borges saying his first words since signing toward the end of the clip.
The South American can be heard saying ‘up the Boro’ in the video. While the phrase itself is not funny, the accent with which he says it has caught the eye.
Taking to X/Twitter Spencer said: “Our scouting is so efficient that we’re even signing Brazilians who already have a Teesside accent. Incredible.”
- READ MORE: One damning moment vs Stoke highlights why Middlesbrough must sell player before August 30th
Will Neto Borges start for Middlesbrough vs Cardiff City
The defender will only have a couple of days to settle in the North East before Boro’s next outing.
Carrick takes his men to Wales on September 1st for a meeting with Cardiff City – the club’s final clash before the international break.
Ahead of the game, the Middlesbrough manager has a key decision to make regarding his latest signing.
Borges will probably take some time to get up to speed and Carrick is unlikely to want to through him straight into the team, as he has not done this with Tommy Conway or Micah Hamilton.
However, the continuing struggles of Lukas Engel, who cost Boro four goals against Stoke, means Borges may have to start against Cardiff on Saturday.
Should he not, the Teessiders may once again miss out on three points thanks to their dismal defensive performances, especially down Engle’s side of the pitch.