Aitor Karanka: Middlesbrough boss working with a competitive squad

Middlesbrough chief executive Neil Bausor says the club are delighted with their summer transfer business.

Manager Aitor Karanka was able to add 12 fresh faces to his squad, including deadline day arrivals Jamal Blackman, Yanic Wildschut and Jelle Vossen.

Adam Clayton and Patrick Bamford were also high-profile additions to a team that is now looking to mount a promotion push in the Sky Bet Championship.

Bausor believes they are well placed to do just that, with chairman Steve Gibson having once again provided the backing required to bring about an improvement on the field.

None of this would be possible without Steve. He has supported the club tremendously, as he always does, he has supported the coach and we have built a squad that is capable of competing in this division. Neil Bausor

He told the club’s official website: “The business we’ve done hasn’t just been something that has happened over the last couple of weeks.

“Recruitment is an ongoing process and we’re always looking for talent across the UK and Europe that can improve the squad we have here.

“Back in May, we developed a strategy with Aitor for the summer. We have been working hard on players, both ins and outs, and we’ve developed a squad that Aitor is happy with.

“I know he feels that there is a balance and there is competition and options in all positions.”

Bausor added on the work done behind the scenes: “None of this would be possible without Steve.

“He has supported the club tremendously, as he always does, he has supported the coach and we have built a squad that is capable of competing in this division.

“Gary (Gill) and the recruitment team have worked tirelessly. Their work wasn’t just done over the summer, but well before that.

“Jelle Vossen was a player identified two years ago and it is ground work like this that has provided us with a lot of the players we have eventually brought in.

“Aitor is at the centre of all the recruitment and I know he is happy with what we achieved in terms of squad building over the past few months.”