Boro agree terms for Juninho, sign Maccarone

Middlesbrough today agreed a fee with Atletico Madrid to take World Cup winner Juninho to Teesside for the third time.

Middlesbrough today agreed a fee with Atletico Madrid to take World Cup winner Juninho to Teesside for the third time.

The club have also broken their transfer record to sign Italy striker Massimo Maccarone from Empoli for £8.1million.

Boro are expected to open negotiations with the 27-year-old midfielder, Juninho, after agreeing terms.

The tiny Brazilian made a major impact at the club after arriving in a £4.75million move from Sao Paolo in November 1995, and returned on loan in September 1999, but was not back to his best after a serious leg fracture.

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The confirmation of Maccarone's arrival brings an end to a saga which has lasted for several weeks.

The 22-year-old Empoli hitman and his representatives agreed terms last month but Boro would not confirm the deal, which outstrips the £8million they paid Aston Villa for Ugo Ehiogu, until all the paperwork was completed.

He is expected to be unveiled at a press conference on Monday, the day he and his team-mates return for pre-season training.

Maccarone made his senior debut for Italy against England at Elland Road last March, and was a key member of his country's under-21 side at the European Championships in Switzerland in May, where his two goals saw off the challenge of David Platt's England youngsters.

Maccarone's arrival on a five-year contract has been balanced out by the announcement that 35-year-old mifielder Robbie Mustoe is to follow Paul Ince out of the door after rejecting the offer of a new contract.

PA