Shotton relishes Boro switch – and aims for the Premier

Birmingham City defender Ryan Shotton is eager to get cracking after becoming Garry Monk’s ninth signing for Middlesbrough yesterday.

The 28-year-old penned a three-year contract with the Riverside outfit and is aiming high.

“It’s been a long time coming, but we’ve got it over the line now and I can look forward to the coming weeks,” said 6ft 3in Shotton, who had previously had permanent stays at Stoke and Derby.

“I’m glad to be up here and ready to go.

“I know the area’s great for the family and I couldn’t ask for a better club, really.

“I’m excited to get going.

“I think this is where the passion is – the fans love their football and they are knowledgeable as

well. “It will be exciting to see what they think of me. “Nobody says it’s going to be easy, but I think this squad is the best I’ve been part of, by far. “The Premier League is where this club deserves to be and hopefully I can help with that.”

Boro, held to a goalless draw by Preston in the Championship last weekend, have no match this week, because of the international break. They return to action with a visit to newly-promoted Bolton Wanderers, who sit at the foot of the table, with just two points on the board from their first five matches.

Monk has been linked with a last-day deadline move for Oxford United’s former Motherwell winger, Marvin Johnson.

Following Shotton’s departure from St Andrew’s, Birmingham have signed Brentford defender Harlee Dean on a three-year contract, for an undisclosed fee. He becomes the 10th summer signing for Harry Redknapp.

Hull City have landed Burton Albion midfielder Jackson Irvine on a three-year deal.

The 24-year-old Australian joins Wolves striker Nouha Dicko as a newcomer at the Tigers and enthused: “I couldn’t be happier and I’m excited to be starting the next chapter of my career.”