Middlesbrough beat European champions to sign in-demand MLS defender as transfer catch emerges

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Middlesbrough are poised to confirm the signing of a highly coveted central defender, but they will have to wait for his services.

With the Rob Edwards era at Middlesbrough beginning with two wins from two in the Championship, despite an embarrassing Carabao Cup loss to Doncaster Rovers in the process, Boro are still on the hunt for signings.

So far this summer, Boro have signed Alfie Jones from Hull City as well as Abdoulaye Kante, Callum Brittain, and Sontje Hansen.

The business is not far from over at the Riverside as EFL Analysis exclusively revealed that Middlesbrough remain “confident” about signing Max Arfsten after Columbus Crew rejected their £2.25m bid.

In addition to Arfsten, Middlesbrough have been shopping elsewhere in the MLS and are poised to sign a potential replacement for Rav van den Berg after he joined FC Koln last week.

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Middlesbrough set to sign defender Adilson Malanda from Charlotte FC

On Tuesday, Boro confirmed their fifth signing of the summer with the loan capture of Manchester City starlet Sverre Nypan.

Middlesbrough fans were elated by Nypan’s arrival, and now it appears that Boro’s sixth summer signing is imminent.

The Northern Echo report that Middlesbrough are set to sign Charlotte FC centre-back Adilson Malanda.

In addition, they outline that “Malanda is joining Boro on a permanent deal”, but the 23-year-old will immediately head back out on loan to Charlotte FC to finish the MLS season, which concludes in October.

Middlesbrough have reportedly beaten several top sides to Malanda’s signature, winning the transfer race ahead of Dutch champions PSV, Belgian top flight giants Club Brugge, Benfica, as well as Boro’s league rivals Norwich City.

Middlesbrough’s willingness to allow Malanda to return to Charlotte FC for the remainder of the 2025 MLS season was said to be a “major factor” in facilitating the move.

Although Boro have completed a major transfer coup with the central defender, Van den Berg’s exit means that Middlesbrough require quality reinforcements at the heart of defence, meaning it is a risky move to be without Malanda for the near future.

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Adilson Malanda profiled ahead of Middlesbrough move

The Van den Berg saga at Middlesbrough looked certain to end with his exit, but the statistics surrounding Malanda’s recent seasons point towards the Frenchman being a real coup for Boro.

Malanda departed French second tier side Rodez in 2022 to make the MLS move with Charlotte FC.

During his three years at Charlotte FC, Malanda has made 107 appearances with two goals to his name.

So far in the 2025 MLS season, Malanda has been in impressive form, playing a pivotal role in their campaign and current five-game winning streak.

Standing at 6’4″, the defender has the physical profile, athleticism, and experience to prove himself as a brilliant replacement for Van den Berg at Boro.