Middlesbrough FC head to Portugal this week with Myles Peart-Harris already on board as their first summer signing. The forward has joined the squad after leaving Oxford United and has linked up at Rockliffe Park. That gives Kim Hellberg a new option before the warm-weather camp begins, but it also leaves the club with several gaps still to fill.
Rockliffe Park and Myles Peart-Harris
Peart-Harris arrived as a free agent after the end of his previous short-term deal at Oxford United. He joined up with his new team-mates as Middlesbrough began their pre-season programme at Rockliffe Park, and he is part of the group travelling to Portugal.
For Middlesbrough, that means the summer work has started on two fronts at once. One new forward is in place, and the rest of the squad will use the trip to reset after the close of last season.
Portugal and the squad gaps
The departure list is already long. Hayden Hackney and Dael Fry left at the end of last season, while Darragh Lenihan, Sammy Silvera and Alex Gilbert went as free agents at the end of last term. Matt Targett and Alan Browne also exited when their loan deals ended.
Those exits leave Middlesbrough short in attack, defence and midfield. Recruiting forwards is a priority after a lack of attacking options hurt them late last season, and the club are expected to make at least another couple of attacking additions this summer. Defensive cover is needed after the moves on by Fry, Lenihan and Targett, while the middle of the pitch still needs a replacement for Hackney.
Dael Fry and Birmingham
Fry has already settled his next move, signing a three-year deal with Birmingham at St Andrew's. In his first interview as a Birmingham player at the weekend, he said: "I spoke to the manager over the week and he spoke really highly of the club."
That exit, along with the others, leaves Middlesbrough starting pre-season with a new face and a list of holes. The Portugal camp will be useful, but the bigger job is still recruitment: add the attacking depth, restore the defence and settle the midfield before the summer closes.
