Middlesbrough have completed the signing of Empoli strikerMassimo Maccarone for a club record fee of £8.1million and look set to re-sign Brazilian midfielder Juninho after agreeing a fee with Atletico Madrid for the World Cup winner.
“Ever since we came here I’ve known about how much he’s adored by the Boro fans,’ said Boro manager Steve McClaren. “We’ve followed his progress with Brazil throughout the year. He’s back to full fitness and we decided he would be a tremendous assett to this football club.
“(Chief executive) Keith Lamb went out yesterday to Madrid and spoken to the club and we’ve agreed a fee.
“All it needs now it for us to speak to the player and see if we can come to an agreement which would bring him back to Middlesbrough.
“I know what kind of player he is and we’ve watched him very closely. He’s a player who can do a similar job to (Benito) Carbone for us last year. I’m excited and hopefully it will come off.
“We’re hoping Juninho wants to come here and take his career forward with us. We’ve had positive vibes from all parties and now it’s up to the player,” he told the official club website.
The Brazilian becme arguably the club’s most popular player when he was with Middlesbrough between 1995 and 1997. He left the club after they were relegated in 1997 – only to return on loan during the 1999-00 season – and McClaren appears determined to sign the player.
Middlesbrough have also completed the signing of highly-rated Empoli striker MassimoMaccarone for £8.1million. The Italian under-21 international.
“I saw him early on for the Under-21s and we checked him again in the Championships,” McClaren said.
“He did well and we’ve done our homework on him, he has great potential, has done ever so well and we’re pleased to be able to sign a player of that quality for Middlesbrough.
“He was much sought after in Italy but we’ve beaten everybody to his signature.
“I think the reason we got him was we went in straight away and showed we were very keen to do the deal.
