Middlesbrough FC transfer news as Teessiders snap up two-time Championship promotion winner

The deal for the 23-year-old Ecuador international includes the potential for it to be made permanent.

Previous loans saw Sarmiento help Ipswich Town and Burnley into the top division in the last two seasons.

Born in Spain to Ecuadorian parents, he moved to England at the age of seven and played agre-group football for England whilst in Charlton Athletic and Benfica's academies before joining Brighton at the age of 19.

He made his Seagulls debut in the League Cup later that month, and his Premier League debut against Leeds United two months later.

Injuries have limited his impact since to just 25 Championship and Premier League starts. Across all competitions he has 11 senior goals.

He does, though, have 24 full international caps, scoring both his goals in June 2024, the latter in the Copa America.

His first loan was at West Bromwich Albion and he spent the first half of this season with Serie A Cremonese, where all his appearances came off the bench.

The right-footed player has played on either wing and in the hole behind a striker, and is noted for his dribbling.

He scored four times in 37 appearances for Burnley, and four in 22 for Ipswich in the second half of 2023-24.

"The ambition from everyone at the club is what attracted me to Boro," said Sarmiento – coach Kim Hellberg's third signing after Leo Castledine and Fin Munroe.

"I’m hungry to get going and I can’t wait to show people what I can do.”

Boro fought off interest from Birmingham City to sign the forward and it is reported they will pay £3.2m if they make the deal permanent, with a contract until 2030 agreed.

The Teessiders are currently in a position to push for Sarmiento''s third successive promotion to the Premier League, five points clear in the second automatic place having played a game more than Ipswich and Hull City.