Alves beats deadline to sign for Boro - Sport - Evening Standard
       

Alves beats deadline to sign for Boro

Afonso Alves became the latest Brazilian star to join Middlesbrough when he completed his £9.5million switch from Heerenveen, signing a four-and-a-half year deal.

The transfer of the top scorer in Dutch football last season has been one of the most protracted and complicated, even by Middlesbrough standards, but relieved Boro boss Gareth Southgate completed the deal with minutes to spare.

Alves, who made his Brazil debut against England at the end of last season, completed his medical after the club successfully appealed against the original decision to refuse his work permit.

Boro manager Gareth Southgate said: "I'm delighted to have completed the deal.

"As usual at this time of the year, it was a late night - but Afonso brings us something different in that he is a goalscorer who does much of his best work inside the box."

He is now expected to make his debut at Newcastle on Sunday.

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