Middlesbrough sign former Sunderland and Rangers ace after ‘problem’ in Seny Dieng exit talks

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Middlesbrough have enjoyed one of the most impressive summer transfer windows of any Championship outfit.

Middlesbrough’s early success within the 2025/26 Championship campaign has been mirrored by their business in the summer transfer window.

On the field, Rob Edwards has overseen four wins from his first four league games in charge at the Riverside, cementing Boro as the only second tier side to take maximum points ahead of the international break.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough	4	4	0	0	7	1	6	12

At the same time, Middlesbrough have completed several stellar additions throughout the window, with multiple deals over the line on deadline day.

Ironically, two of those deals encompass familiar figures to Boro’s regional rivals, Sunderland.

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Middlesbrough sign Jon McLaughlin amid Seny Dieng exit talks

On deadline day, Middlesbrough completed the signing of David Strelec with a five-year deal for the Slovakian international striker.

As well as Strelec, Middlesbrough are set to add Sunderland’s Alan Browne on a season-long loan deal, with the veteran Championship midfielder down the pecking order in Regis Le Bris’ selection thoughts.

Middlesbrough have also signed another figure well-known to Sunderland supporters, with the addition of veteran goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin.

Fringe shot-stopper Tom Glover was released from his contract by Boro, and the Teessiders have added former Black Cats and Rangers star McLaughlin as their new number three.

McLaughlin’s arrival comes after Boro were ‘open to letting goalkeeper Seny Dieng leave’, with Scottish Premier League outfit Hearts amongst those to show an interest.

EFL Analysis’ Chief Football Correspondent Graeme Bailey outlined on X: “Middlesbrough finalise deal for veteran Scottish goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin to become the club’s number 3 with Australian Tom Glover leaving.

“Boro had been in talks to move Seny Dieng out on-loan with Hearts amongst those to show an interest.

As Bailey exclusively informed EFL Analysis: “Middlesbrough were open to Dieng leaving, but the problem with him is wages – he is one of Boro’s highest earners and it is not easy to move him.”

Sol Brynn has impressed in Boro’s four opening Championship clashes, and Edwards’ goalkeeping ranks will comprise Brynn, McLaughlin, and Dieng when the Senegalese international returns from an achilles injury in October.

Scotsman McLaughlin will play back-up to Brynn and Dieng, and the 37-year-old’s wealth of experience will be a major benefit to Edwards’ squad.

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Jon McLaughlin’s career statistics amid Middlesbrough move

McLaughlin made his professional debut for Bradford City in 2009, and went on to feature 90 times for Sunderland and play in the Champions League for Rangers.

During his time at the Scottish giants, McLaughlin won the SPL title and was on the bench for the 2022 final of the Europa League, in which the Gers were beaten 5-4 on penalties by Eintracht Frankfurt.

The Scotsman remained a free agent after he departed Swansea City earlier this summer, with his most recent outing coming in a 3-0 FA Cup loss to Southampton back in January.

Middlesbrough’s announcement outlined that McLaughlin had “been training with Boro for the past six weeks”, and current league leaders Boro have now opted to take the veteran shot-stopper on for the 2025/26 season.