Middlesbrough move for David Nugent shows striker sense

“I was itching to get here and I’m just delighted to be here. The clubs agreed a fee straight away, both parties are happy with the deal so I’m just pleased to get started and hopefully be involved at the weekend.”

Karanka, who saw his side draw a blank at last term’s League One play-off winners Preston North End in their Championship opener, could not resist a subtle dig at the valuation of previous target Rhodes.

“I am delighted that David has agreed to join us because everyone knows what a good player he is,” Karanka added. “We have worked really hard to bring David to the club and everyone can see that we have not had to spend a crazy amount of money to bring him here. It’s important to get the right players at the right price.

“The good thing is that David wants to join us and believes in our project and this club. I believe we are signing a very good player.”

Middlesbrough are getting a player who, if you include his play-off strikes, is one goal shy of a Championship century, but also knows getting up into the top flight is far from easy.

“I want to be back in the Premier League as quick as possible and I’m sure the rest of the lads do, the manager and the fans, too, ” Nugent continue. “I’m just here to help that and hopefully we can go one step further this time and get automatic promotion.

“I’ve been involved in plenty of play-offs, it’s a tough league and any team can beat another. You’ve just got to be consistent and that should pull you through the hard times and get us promoted. You can’t always look back on what happened the previous season, there will have been a lot of heartache for the players losing that final and there’s no worse feeling.

“I’ve done it myself and it was hard, but you’ve got to pick yourself back up and the lads are confident. Home form is massive in the Championship and if that stays consistent you’ve got a good chance of getting promoted.”

With Nugent now joining attacking options which include fellow ex-England international Stewart Downing and Uruguay forward Christian Stuani, there is every chance Boro will challenge and are 5/1 to lift the Championship title.