Middlesbrough to sign ‘experienced’ Sunderland figure on loan after Regis Le Bris admission

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A rare deal between regional rivals Middlesbrough and Sunderland has occurred ahead of the transfer window deadline.

Sunderland took six points off their North East rivals Middlesbrough in the Championship last season, most recently with a 3-2 win at the Riverside in February.

Fortunes ended in polar opposite ways for both clubs, with Boro missing out on the play-offs and Sunderland winning the play-off final against Sheffield United.

In their respective rights, both Championship Boro and now-Premier League Sunderland have enjoyed impressive summers in the transfer window, with the Black Cats most notably adding former Arsenal skipper Granit Xhaka to their ranks.

Middlesbrough signed David Strelec early on deadline day, and followed that capture up with a loan move for an “experienced” Sunderland star.

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Middlesbrough set to sign Sunderland midfielder Alan Browne on loan

Despite reports emerging last week that Blackburn Rovers wanted Alan Browne, it now appears that Middlesbrough have won the race for the veteran midfielder’s signature.

The Northern Echo report that Middlesbrough are set to sign midfielder Browne on loan from their regional rivals, Sunderland.

After making 414 appearances across his ten-year stint at Preston North End, Browne moved to the Black Cats last summer on a free transfer amid Regis Le Bris’ arrival on Wearside.

Within the Black Cats’ promotion-winning campaign, the Republic of Ireland international featured just 23 times under Le Bris, scoring one goal, due to multiple periods on the sidelines with injury.

Former Preston captain Browne was brought to Sunderland last summer as the perfect accompaniment for the youthful exuberance of Le Bris’ Black Cats side, but the 30-year-old found minutes in midfield hard to come by even when fit.

Browne has been a victim of Sunderland’s promotion, with the additions of Xhaka, Habib Diarra and Noah Sadicki on Wearside leaving him surplus to Le Bris’ requirements.

After Browne was not named in the squad for Sunderland’s 3-0 opening day win over West Ham, it was apparent that his immediate footballing future would lie away from Wearside.

Le Bris told the Northern Echo: “We had this conversation with him (Browne), about game time and what he needs for the best future for him. It’s an open conversation, and we will see next week.”

Now, after adding Matt Targett and Sverre Nypan, Middlesbrough will add their third Premier League loanee with Browne, who was highly regarded by Le Bris for his exploits last season.

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Middlesbrough are signing a ‘versatile and experienced’ player in Alan Browne

Towards the latter stages of the season, Browne’s selfless nature provided Le Bris with a significant selection boost, after the trademark central midfielder filled in at full-back in fine fashion.

With Trai Hume forced to play at left-back, Le Bris dropped Browne to right-back in a victory over play-off chasing Millwall, and the Boro-bound loanee was praised by the Black Cats boss for his contribution.

Le Bris told the Northern Echo: “I’m really pleased. We found a solution with Browney and Trai off the left.

“Browney is versatile, experienced, and well-connected with the team. He always wants to give his best. He played well today.”

‘Versatile’ and ‘experienced’ are the perfect two adjectives that epitomise the Sunderland star’s game in a nutshell and highlight the key attributes that Browne will bring to Middlesbrough for Rob Edwards.

Browne is not the only departure from Sunderland on deadline day, with Birmingham City set to sign Patrick Roberts on loan, and Niall Huggins reuniting with Mike Dodds at Wycombe Wanderers with his season-long loan.