Middlesbrough complete club-record deal for new striker

Middlesbrough have announced they have broken their club transfer record to sign Nottingham Forest striker Britt Assombalonga for £15m.

Garry Monk made signing a new striker a priority as soon as he was appointed Middlesbrough manager at the start of June, as the former Leeds boss aims to fire the club back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Middlesbrough have now signed Assombalonga after triggering the buy-out clause in his Forest contract, eclipsing the £12.7m they paid Heerenveen for Afonso Alves in January 2008.

Assombalonga has spent most of the last few years on the sidelines after suffering a career-threatening knee injury in February 2015, but the 24-year-old is looking to make up for lost time at his new club.

“I can’t wait to get started and train with the boys,” he told Boro’s official website. “I’m glad it’s completed and I can focus on what’s ahead now.

“I can’t wait to meet the manager and get ready for next season. There’s a good feeling around the place. From the minute I walked in it felt right.”

Monk has now successfully revamped his offensive options having already signed Martin Braithwaite from Ligue 1 side Toulouse earlier this month.

Assombalonga leaves Forest having scored in 30 goals in 65 matches in the Championship over the last three years. Of players that have scored at least five Championship goals in that period, only two have required fewer touches per goal than Boro’s new club-record signing (1 goal every 45.3 touches).

For more stats on Britt Assombalonga, click here to visit his WhoScored player page