Middlesbrough completed another Premier League loan capture on deadline day in the form of fringe Sunderland figure Alan Browne.
Undoubtedly, Middlesbrough are one of the biggest winners in the Championship when it comes to the summer transfer window.
11 players in total were brought to the Riverside before Monday’s deadline, adding quality and strength in depth in key positions for Rob Edwards.
On deadline day, Middlesbrough completed the signing of David Strelec and added veteran goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin amid Seny Dieng’s failed move to Hearts.
Boro’s third signing on deadline day came in the loan capture of veteran midfielder Alan Browne from regional rivals Sunderland, and the former Preston North End stalwart has already made comments that the Middlesbrough faithful will love.
Alan Browne playing for Sunderland
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Sunderland loanee Alan Browne reveals what qualities he will bring to Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough signed Browne on loan from Sunderland after Regis Le Bris admitted that “game time” would be a concern for the versatile midfielder this season.
Browne arrived at Sunderland last summer after his ten-year stint at Preston, but would make only 23 appearances last season amid injury woes and failing to cement a starting spot ahead of Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham.
Despite reports emerging before deadline day that Blackburn Rovers wanted Browne, league leaders Middlesbrough were the most attractive project for the Republic of Ireland international.
After making the 30-mile trip from Sunderland to Middlesbrough, Browne revealed what qualities he will bring to Edwards’ Boro squad and his aims for the 2025/26 season at the Riverside.
Browne told Middlesbrough’s media: “(I’m feeling) Probably relief more than anything. I’m just delighted to finally get it over the line.
“It’s a massive club, a Premier League club if we’re being honest and that’s where I’m going to try to help get the club back to.
“They’ve made an amazing start so far. Some good individual players and I had a brief chat with the manager, who talked me into it as well.”
On his time at Preston, Browne added: “I was life-changing for me at the time, and I just grew as a person and a player throughout my years there and gained a lot of experience, which hopefully I can bring to this club.”
On what Browne will bring to Boro, he explained: “I’m really energetic, really aggressive, like to do both sides of the game, attack and defend. So, hopefully I can chip in with anything I can.”
Browne will be in line for his Boro debut after the international break, against the side he played 414 games for.
“I can’t wait to put on a shirt and to play my first game.”, Browne added. “I’ve experienced how good they (the Middlesbrough fans) are. Not to me, but to their own players. And, hopefully, they can help get us over the line this year.”
Rob Edwards is the Middlesbrough Manager
Photo by Trevor Wilkinson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Alan Browne’s key trait will be crucial for Middlesbrough
After clocking up over 350 appearances in the Championship and 37 for the Republic of Ireland, Browne has years of top-level experience to bring to Middlesbrough.
The 30-year-old’s battle scars will play a beneficial role in the development of young central midfield talents Hayden Hackney, Aidan Morris, Abdoulaye Kante and Manchester City loanee Sverre Nypan.
However, it is Browne’s versatility in several key roles that is the most impressive aspect of his game, and Edwards is set to benefit from that this season.
Team name Alan Browne appearances
Preston North End 414
Sunderland 23
Republic of Ireland 37
Alan Browne’s career appearances by clubs played for.
Browne is a combative central midfielder by nature, but has also played a portion of his football at right-midfield and right-back.
Therefore, if Browne fails to nail down a starting role ahead of Boro’s outstanding central duo Hackney and Morris, he would be a capable impact substitute or deputy for either of those two, whilst also able to rotate with Callum Brittain at right wing-back.