Alves due at Middlesbrough as transfer saga draws to a close

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• More Boro news

The £8.5 million Brazil international missed his side's draw at Newcastle on Sunday because his final working permit had not come through from the British Embassy in Holland.

Boro boss Gareth Southgate expects the relevant paperwork to be processed today.

Alves, who has quit Dutch club Heerenveen, hopes to make his debut at home to Fulham on Saturday and he is preparing to make an impact at the club.

Alves said: "I believe I will score a lot of goals for Middlesbrough. I am proud to have scored a lot of goals in Sweden and Holland but I aim to have an even better games to goals ratio in the Premier League.

"I promise the fans there will be many goals before the summer. Free-kicks are my speciality but I want to score goals no matter where they are from. I am excited about the challenge.

"Gareth Southgate was a big influence in my decision. When we met we talked football, about how the game should be played and the role of a forward as part of a team. When he spoke I looked at my advisers and smiled. It was clear we shared the same beliefs.

"What he said was music to my ears. He made it clear he believes in attacking football, playing with the ball and trying to excite the supporters. Most of all he understands what I can do for the team.

"I had chances to join other clubs but once I came to Middlesbrough, saw the training ground and stadium and met the people I knew this was the club for me. I am just relieved the transfer is sorted out after so many complications.

"I can identify with the spirit of the town. Belo Horizonte where I was brought up is very similar to Middlesbrough as it has working people, industry and a love of football.

"I have a good feeling about coming here and of course I know all about what Juninho achieved here and that the Middlesbrough supporters adored him."

AZ Alkmaar have appealed to the Dutch FA and FIFA, claiming Alves signed a pre-contract agreement with them. But Southgate does not expect their objections to block the big money move.

"Anything else is a sideshow," he said.