"?Newly promoted Middlesbrough have announced another summer signing, having agreed a deal with Colombian centre-back Bernardo Espinosa.
The 26-year-old joins from Spanish outfit Sporting Gijon, where he spent the last three years of his career. Boro revealed in a statement on their club website that Espinosa has agreed to sign with the club when his current contract expires on July 1st.
CONFIRMED | A deal has been agreed to bring Bernardo Espinosa to #Boro - https://t.co/LgXVEh7v6Q #UTB pic.twitter.com/GeICY1BiF5
"The club can confirm a deal has been agreed to sign Bernardo Espinosa to Boro when the defender's contract expires at Spanish side Sporting Gijon."
Espinosa is still recovering from a serious knee injury, but hopes to be ready for next season. He has explained his decision to leave Gijon, claiming that proving himself in the Premier League was the greatest factor.
"In January I decided to stay and finish the season here [Gijon], as there was no reason for me to leave," he said in a press conference on Friday (via "?Gazette Live).
When La Liga finished there was a lot of speculation surrounding my decision. In January I thought I would wait.
"I wanted to wait until my mind, body and soul were ready. Now I feel ready to return to doing what I love.
"At the end of the day, it has been a really hard decision, especially because of the love I have for this club.
"Why aren't I staying? It's a decision I have made over a long period of time, years in fact. Going to the English Premier League is the only reason, the most important reason for my decision."