Aston Villa striker Cameron Archer has become Michal Carrick’s first signing as Middlesbrough manager after the 21-year-old joined the Riverside Stadium outfit on loan until the end of the season.

The striker has made seven appearances for Villa this term and will join Carrick’s squad for the remainder of 2022-23 Championship season, having enjoyed a successful loan stint in the division last year.

Archer scored seven goals in 20 appearances for Preston during the second half of last season after joining the club on January 24. The England youth international, who has four goals in four appearances for the national Under-21 side, will add competition to Boro’s front-line.

Middlesbrough are fifth in the Championship, having enjoyed an impressive resurgence under Carrick. The move for Archer means a deal for Sunderland star Ross Stewart is unlikely to happen this month.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 20: Cameron Archer of Aston Villa runs ahead of Joao Palhinha of Fulham during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Aston Villa at Craven Cottage on October 20, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Ahead of Archer’s arrival, Carrick said Boro were in discussions with a number of players with other targets identified. He said on Thursday: "There are a few players we like and would like to bring in. I don't like speaking about individuals until it's done. It's not fair on other clubs and the player. We're definitely looking to improve the squad and we have things going on at the moment, hopefully that will bear fruit.

"I'm open to strengthening wherever we can strengthen. We have our eyes wide open and are looking at the bigger picture. We're not going down one route in particular at this stage. We're new as a group and we want to keep getting better and improving. Any way we can do that - on and off the pitch - we'll try to do that."

Middlesbrough complete first signing of Michael Carrick era as Aston Villa star makes switch and Ross Stewart decision made