Middlesbrough win Championship transfer race to complete seventh summer signing

Newcastle United defender Matt Targett is set to join Middlesbrough on loan. The full-back is poised to join Boro on a season-long loan deal.

Targett boasts a wealth of experience, having played more than 150 matches in the Premier League. His previous clubs include Southampton, Fulham (loan) and Aston Villa.

A number of Championship clubs are said to have expressed an interest in Targett’s services but Boro appear to have won the race. His impending arrival will offer Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards a new option on the left hand side of their defence.

Targett has fallen out of favour at St James’ Park, playing just five times across all competitions during the 2024/25 season. The 29-year-old was not included in the Magpies matchday squad for their league opener at Aston Villa last weekend. Newcastle are well-stocked in the full-back department, with Lewis Hall, Tino Livramento, Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn all capable of playing there.

Adding Targett, who has been on the Magpies books since 2022, to their ranks will be another big piece in the Boro transfer jigsaw. With Alex Bangura sidelined with a hamstring injury, Edwards currently has no recognised left wing back. Sammy Silvera, a winger by trade, has admirably filled in there in pre-season and in the opening two league matches.

Boro have so far signed six new players as they look to mount a promotion push. Manchester City loanee Sverre Nypan could make his Middlesbrough debut at Norwich City tomorrow. Centre-back Adilson Malanda is the latest addition but he has been loaned back to Charlotte FC until the end of the Major League Soccer season in November. Malanda will link up with Edwards’ side in the New Year.