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Versatile defender Alex Baptiste arrived on Teesside today as Boro prepared to make their first signing of the summer.

Baptiste, 29, was due at Rockliffe Park to take a stringent medical and fine-tune the details on a three-year deal.

Utility defender Baptiste is most usually deployed as a centre-back but can also play in both full-back roles and so is seen as a useful addition to the squad who can add experience and competition right across the back line.

The Sutton-in-Coldfield born stopper is joining as a free agent after being released from his contract at Bolton after two years.

Baptiste started his career at Mansfield but made his name with a five season spell at Blackpool.

He was a first team fixture as Ian Holloway’s rampant side won promotion to the Premier League and Baptiste then played 21 games for the Tangerines in the top flight.

He was an influential figure again as Blackpool regrouped after relegation and reached the play-off finals where they lost to West Ham.

He left Bloomfield Road as part of the big clear-out at the cash-strapped club in the summer of 2013 and signed for Bolton.

Baptiste played 39 games with Bolton before falling out of favour and spent last season on loan at Blackburn where he played 32 times and scored three goals.

He was expected to take his medical and swiftly complete the deal today as Boro step up their pre-season preparation.

Boro sources confirmed for the first time that the club have made an approach to West Ham for former flanker Stewart Downing and said that the Premier League side are considering it.

But they stressed that there is still a lot of work to do on making the numbers add up on a move.

They are also busy on several other fronts with two front men, two midfielders and a right-back also targeted.

Reports in East Anglia suggest Boro had made a £4.5m bid for Ipswich striker Daryl Murphy but club sources wouldn’t be drawn on that.

Meanwhile, last season’s striking loan star Jelle Vossen is “edging closer” to a move to Championship rivals Burnley. The Belgian forward, who got nine goals last term, has held talks with the Clarets ahead of a possible move from Genk.

He has since flown back home to begin pre-season training with Genk until Burnley - who are said to have identified Vossen as the ideal replacement Danny Ings - firm up their interest.

Boro’s players return for pre-season training on Monday and play their first friendly at York next Saturday.