Carnival dancers and a samba band as Alves finally checks in at Boro

The 27-year-old, who completed a move which it is understood could eventually amount to £12.7million last Thursday, was presented to supporters at the Riverside Stadium this afternoon.

In an echo of the welcome given to compatriot Juninho more than 12 years ago, the Brazilian was greeted by a samba band and hundreds of schoolchildren waving his country's flag.

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Boro's new Brazilian: Middlesbrough manager Southgate (second from left) and Alves (second from right) and two colourful carnival dancers

Alves, wearing the number 12 shirt and blue boots, walked out on to the pitch accompanied by manager Gareth Southgate and two carnival dancers in full costume to rapturous applause.

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Flaying the flag: Alves's introduction to the Boro fans had a distinctly Brazilian flavour

He then faced the banks of cameras before greeting fans and signing autographs.

Southgate told the crowd: "I was just saying to Afonso, we have a great affinity with Brazilian players at Middlesbrough. It will mean a lot to him that so many people have come out to welcome him to the club."

Alves' arrival on Teesside was delayed until yesterday as he waited for a working visa to enable him to fly back into the country.

The former Heerenveen striker has been in Boro's sights for some time, but they finally pounced with just hours of the January transfer window to spare.

AZ Alkmaar continue to insist they had a pre-contract agreement with the South American and are pursuing their claim.

However, Boro are adamant he is their player and are now looking forward simply to seeing him out on the Riverside pitch for real.

That may not happen this Saturday when Fulham visit for a vital Barclays Premier League fixture, with Alves' fitness still being assessed.

The fee Boro paid Heerenveen remains undisclosed, but it smashed the £8.15million they paid Empoli for Massimo Maccarone during the summer of 2002.

Doing it for the kids: Alves with some young Boro fans

Meanwhile Middlesbrough have snapped up Bradford City youngster Sam Filler.

The 18-year-old enjoyed trial spells with Boro and Newcastle earlier this season, but the Teesside club have won the battle for the highly-rated keeper.

"Keith Lamb (Boro chief executive) sent us an offer in October and Newcastle also expressed a very strong interest. But Middlesbrough recently came back in for him and doubled their original offer," confirmed Bradford's joint-chairman Julian Rhodes.

"This is another feather in the cap for our youth department."

Boro have agreed an undisclosed fee with Bradford, in a deal similar to the one which took Andre Wilson to Liverpool earlier this season.