Middlesbrough sign Jordan Rhodes, loan Ritchie De Laet

Omnisports 09:34 - 01 February 2016

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Middlesbrough have completed their protracted big-money purchase of Jordan Rhodes from Blackburn Rovers and taken Ritchie De Laet on loan.

Scotland international striker Jordan Rhodes has completed a move to Championship promotion-chasers Middlesbrough from Blackburn Rovers a day after the long-anticipated switch appeared to have collapsed.

Boro released a statement on Sunday saying they failed to agree terms with Rhodes following weekend talks, but confirmed the deal a little over 24 hours later.

The 25-year-old, who has scored 166 Football League goals across spells with Huddersfield Town and Blackburn, moves to the Riverside Stadium for an undisclosed fee – reported to be worth an initial £9million to Rovers, rising to a possible £13m.

Boro are second in the Championship, a point behind leaders Hull City, and Rhodes could make his debut against 18th-placed Blackburn on Saturday.

Aitor Karanka added a further two faces to his squad, with Leicester City defender Ritchie De Laet joining on loan until the end of the season, while fellow Belgian Julien De Sart, 21, signs a three-and-a-half-year deal from Standard Liege.