Arca makes switch to Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has snapped up Sunderland's Julio Arca as his first major signing.

Boro unveiled the Argentinian following the Black Cats' confirmation of the sale of Arca to the Stock Exchange for a fee of £1.75million.

The left-sided utility player has left the Stadium of Light after six years with Sunderland who reluctantly allowed Middlesbrough to open transfer talks.

The Argentinian, who had a clause in his contract allowing him to speak to Premiership clubs, will join Boro as the club prepare to sell Franck Queudrue to Fulham.

Although he can play in midfield, Arca may prove a like-for-like replacement for Queudrue on the left of Boro's defence.

Arca cost Sunderland £3.5million from Argentinos Juniors in 2000 and the 25-year-old departs the day after Niall Quinn took charge as Black Cats manager.

Quinn stressed earlier this week: "I'm not cross — he has already stayed once after this club went down — but I am disappointed as he is a terrific guy and a smashing player."

Boro recently made 18-year-old Herold Goulon the first signing of Southgate's spell as manager when the French youngster joined from Lyon, however he was recruited initially to go into the reserve team.