Despite Middlesbrough overcoming Swansea City 1-0 in their Championship curtain-raiser, Boro suffered an ugly 4-0 defeat to Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.
Boro boss Rob Edwards offered a transfer update after the Doncaster defeat and admitted that “there will be people coming in” before the September 1 window deadline.
Middlesbrough fans slammed Morgan Whittaker for his anonymous display in the cup defeat, and thankfully for the Boro faithful, Edwards’ claims have become true in the wake of the loss.
Boro have signed young forward Sontje Hansen from Dutch outfit NEC, and the 23-year-old has shared an exciting mission statement after his arrival.
New Middlesbrough signing Sontje Hansen shares exciting statement
After the arrivals of Alfie Jones, Abdoulaye Kante and Callum Brittain, Middlesbrough completed their fourth summer signing with the addition of 23-year-old forward Hansen from NEC.
As well as forwards, Boro have been persistently targeting left wing-backs to suit Edwards’ back-three formation as Middlesbrough eye Charlie Taylor from Southampton.
Middlesbrough want to sign a striker this summer, but EFL Analysis understands, thanks to information from Chief Football correspondent Graeme Bailey, that Middlesbrough plan to use Hansen as a number 10 following his near €4.5m/£3.8m arrival from the Eredivisie outfit.
After his arrival was announced, Hansen told Middlesbrough’s media: “Yes, finally. I am happy that I am here, and I’m very excited to play for Boro and let’s make a great season.
“I wanted to hear more, they came to my city and we had a good conversation, now it’s finally done.
“I’m a team player, I love to make combinations, also really fast, like to cross and dribble with my left and right foot.
“I like to dribble, gives crosses, and I think for the fans they can enjoy to watch me play, I think I can do beautiful things with the ball.
“I hear in Holland it’s more like football, and here it’s more physical, so it’s going to be a great test, and I want to take the test.”
Sontje Hansen will need to make an instant impact at Middlesbrough
Dutch youth international Hansen will need to make an instant impact at Boro given their lacklustre performance in the Carabao Cup loss.
Hansen is an unproven talent in the Championship, but he has shown promise with 13 goals and 9 assists for NEC over the last two Eredivisie campaigns.
Middlesbrough head to Millwall on Saturday afternoon, after the Lions beat Norwich City 2-1 at the weekend.
