Woodgate delighted as winger leaves Norwich to join Boro

Manchester City winger Patrick Roberts has joined Middlesbrough on loan until the end of the season after his time with Premier League strugglers Norwich was cut short.

The 22-year-old had joined the Canaries from City during August, but made just four appearances.

Roberts had a spell at Girona last season, having also enjoyed a successful loan stint with Celtic, where he scored 18 goals in 79 appearances.

He started out at AFC Wimbledon before moving to Fulham and then joined Manchester City during the summer of 2015.

News of Boro’s interest first emerged after their impressive win at Preston on New Year’s Day – their fourth straight success – and head coach Jonathan Woodgate told the club’s website: “It’s great Patrick has signed up.

“He is an exciting player, he wants to play games, and he has the bit between his teeth.

“He fits the mould of what we are looking at. He is young and hungry, and wants to do well.

“I am absolutely delighted to have a player of Patrick’s calibre at this football club.”

Boro may need to recruit in defence as well as attack with centre-back Daniel Ayala expected to be out for some time after coming off injured in the win at Deepdale.

Woodgate also insists Boro will be hoping to retain the players linked with a move away from the Riverside, including injured duo Darren Randolph, linked with a return to West Ham, and Britt Assombalonga, regularly linked with a move away.

“Hopefully, I’d like to think they’ll stay. When they come back we’ll be an even better team,” said Woodgate.