David Nugent has completed his medical and signed for Derby County

David Nugent has joined Derby on a two-and-a-half year deal from Middlesbrough for an undisclosed fee.

Nugent had scored one goal in five appearances for Boro this season and had been told by manager Aitor Karanka that he was free to leave the club.

Derby boss Steve McClaren moved for the experienced 31-year-old after failing to bring Chris Martin back from his loan spell at Fulham.

Nugent has found his first-team opportunities limited on Teesside this season

He is Derby's second new arrival of the January window after the loan signing of midfielder Julien de Sart, also from Middlesbrough, last week.

Sky sources understood that Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic was also interested in signing Nugent but it is fellow promotion-hopefuls County who have sealed the deal.

McClaren told the club's website: "We're delighted to complete the signing of David Nugent. He is a proven goalscorer at Championship level and he also has a great deal of experience as well to bring to the table.

"David has a track record of scoring important goals as well and we're pleased to add him to the attacking talent that we already have."

Nugent joined Boro from Leicester in August 2015 and helped the club win promotion to the Premier League during his first season at the Riverside, scoring eight goals in 40 appearances.

He has scored over 150 goals in 425 appearances in club football since beginning his professional career 15 years ago.

Derby boss Steve McClaren was keen to bolster his forward line this month

He found his first-team opportunities at the Riverside limited this season following the arrival of former Manchester City forward Alvaro Negredo on a season-long loan from Valencia.

Karanka, who still has Scotland international Jordan Rhodes at his disposal, bolstered his forward line further with the signing of Rudy Gestede from Aston Villa for £6m last week.