Boro bring Moukoudi to Riverside on a loan deal

Middlesbrough have completed the signing of Saint Etienne centre-back Harold Moukoudi on loan until the end of the season.

The 22-year-old defender became Boro’s fourth signing of the January transfer window on Friday evening, following the arrival of Patrick Roberts, Lukas Nmecha and goalkeeper Dejan Stojanovic.

It had been well documented that Boro were trying to sign another centre-back following a series of defensive injuries.

Moukoudi was one of several players on the Teessiders’ radar after playing against Jonathan Woodgate’s team at the Riverside during a preseason friendly in July.

Boro also inquired about Leicester’s Filip Benkovic and Burnley’s Ben Gibson, yet deals proved tricky.

Following Moukoudi’s arrival, head coach Woodgate told the club’s website: “We’re delighted to bring Harold in to the club.

“He’s a player we’ve been keeping an eye on and it’s a real coup that we’ve been able to bring him here.

“He’s a unit of a defender, a real big, strong lad, and he’s a quality player. He’s still young, but he has plenty of experience, having played in the top division in France, in the Europa League, and also for Cameroon.

"He’ll be a very important addition to our squad and will really increase the competition we have for places."

Moukoudi will not be able to play for Boro during their Championship meeting with Blackburn Rovers this weekend as the signing was not completed before Friday’s 12pm cut-off point.

The defender could make his Boro debut when the Teessiders travel to Brentford on Saturday, February 8.

Boro striker Stephen Walker, meanwhile, has joined League Two side Crewe Alexandra on loan until the end of the season.

The 19-year-old frontman made his Championship debut against Blackburn in August and has made seven appearances in the second tier this term.

Yet the loan arrival of Nmecha from Manchester City and Rudy Gestede’s return from injury has seen Walker fall down the pecking order.

Crewe are fighting for promotion from League Two and are third in the table.