Boro new boy Emnes relishing the chance to link up with Alves

Middlesbrough's new signing Marvin Emnes admits he cannot wait to line up alongside record signing Afonso Alves as he attempts to make his way in English football.  

The 20-year-old former Sparta Rotterdam striker saw at close hand how dangerous the Brazilian, Boro's record signing at £12.7million from Heerenveen, can be during his time in Holland.  

But after completing a £3.2million switch to the Riverside Stadium Emnes is desperate to learn from the older man.

He said: 'He is a big player and I believe I can learn a lot from him. To be able to play next to a player like that can only improve me.  

'Since I was a young boy, I have always dreamt about playing in a foreign competition like the English one or the Spanish or the Italian.  

'The more I got to know the English competition, the more I got interested in it. The most important thing for me this season is to get to a level and be able to compete with any other player, to play a lot of games and play as many minutes as I possibly can.'  

Emnes is expected to be used as a right-sided winger by manager Gareth Southgate, although he can also play on the left or through the middle and cites Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo as a role model.  

He said: 'I love Cristiano Ronaldo, just for the way he plays and also because he plays in the same position I do. He is an explosive player.'  

Role model: Emnes is a fan of Ronaldo

Former Paris St Germain midfielder Didier Digard had to remain patient as negotiations over his transfer proved delicate, and later revealed Boro had not been the only club on his trail.  

He said: 'I had the opportunity to go to other clubs, including Monaco, Newcastle and Portsmouth, but I was very impressed by Gareth.

'I know he has a great relationship with the players and it was clear he knew exactly what he wanted to do with the club. He convinced me this was the club for me.'

Southgate, who revealed Boro had agreed a fee with promoted Hull for George Boateng, who is yet to agree personal terms, was delighted to be able to confirm unsettled midfielder Gary O'Neil has pledged his future to the club.  

But he was delighted too, with his double capture as the Teessiders follow Arsene Wenger's policy of identifying young talent around the globe.  

Southgate said: 'We shouldn't be mentioning myself and Arsene Wenger in the same sentence, but certainly it was interesting to read his comments in terms of how Arsenal need to run their finances.  

'Our financial situation has been well-publicised over the summer and we have to bear that in mind with how we recruit our players and what we look to do in terms of the investment in the club.  

'We also feel players need to be wanting to come here for the right reason. They have got to want to improve, they have got to see this as a progression in their career, not somewhere they come to see their time out.'