PAT’S POINT TO PROVE
BAMFORD RELISHES £6MILLION RETURN TO MIDDLESBROUGH – AND VOWS TO IMPRESS
Patrick Bamford is back at Middlesbrough – with a point to prove.
Boro signed the 23-yearold for a reported £6million fee from Chelsea to boost their striking options in the fight for Premier League survival.
Bamford enjoyed an excellent loan stint at the Riverside in the Championship in the 2014-15 campaign, hitting 19 goals.
But he has struggled on loan at Crystal Palace, Norwich and Burnley in the Premier League last season and this, failing to score a single goal.
Bamford, though, is relishing his move to Boro on a four-and-a-half year contract.
“I have a point to prove to the Boro fans and everyone at the club,” Bamford said on Boro’s Facebook page.
“I owe a lot to the chairman, to the manager and the fans as they stood by me when the times were tough and have given me a second chance.
“I saw the tweets from Boro fans saying they wanted me back and that was massive,” Bamford said.
“It was really important and when I knew my loan spell was coming to an end at Burnley it was crucial my next place was somewhere I felt comfortable.
“There was only one place I wanted to go. I’m really glad it’s happened.
“I wish my Premier League chance with Boro had happened 18 months ago.
“In hindsight, I can say I’ve made the wrong decisions (since), but, at the time, I wanted to test myself and push myself. Now I’m delighted to be back in the Premier League with Boro.
“I put it out there in one of my goodbye tweets that you don’t know what the future will hold, and this club holds a big place in my heart. I wanted to come back and I can’t stop smiling – I’m so happy.”
Bamford will be available for Saturday’s crucial home clash with West Ham, with Boro looking to extend their four-point gap to the relegation zone.
The striker, Boro’s second January arrival alongside fellow frontman Rudy Gestede, is relishing the chance to work under boss Aitor Karanka again.
Bamford said: “I’ll play anywhere the gaffer wants me to and the key thing for me is to get game-time now, back into the rhythm and get my form and confidence back.
“My relationship with Aitor is crucial. In the three previous loan spells obviouslyIdidn’tknowthemanagers too well and for whatever reason things didn’t work out.
“But the relationship I had with Aitor last time, the way he helped me as a coach, put time in and helped me reach the form I did, I’m delighted to be back and I’m sure he will get me back to that level.
“I can’t wait for West Ham at the weekend, hopefully I can push to be involved in that and I just can’t wait to be playing back at the Riverside.”
Meanwhile, Boro have let winger Emilio Nsuie join Championship side Birmingham City on a threeand-a-half-year deal, for an undisclosed fee.