Rob Edwards reviews Middlesbrough’s summer transfer window business amid ‘real talent’ verdict

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Middlesbrough have enjoyed one of the most impressive transfer windows of any Championship side, much to the delight of manager Rob Edwards.

Middlesbrough currently sit top of the Championship table after the opening four fixtures of the 2025/26 second tier season.

Rob Edwards has enjoyed a flawless start to league action as Boro boss, with his side being the only Championship team to take maximum points ahead of the international break.

Many fans had reservations about Edwards’ appointment, but his side’s early-season form has proven that Middlesbrough owner Steve Gibson got that decision absolutely right.

That positive trajectory has been mirrored by Boro’s impressive summer transfer business, and after the window slammed shut, Edwards has offered his honest thoughts on the club’s dealings.

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Rob Edwards reviews Middlesbrough’s summer transfer window

On deadline day, the signing of David Strelec was completed, and Middlesbrough signed Alan Browne on loan from regional rivals Sunderland to add to their already impressive business.

In a less headline-grabbing move, Middlesbrough signed Jon McLaughlin to add the veteran goalkeeper as their number three after Tom Glover’s departure.

After the transfer window slammed shut until January, Boro boss Edwards has admitted that Middlesbrough have added “really good quality” this summer with 11 new faces through the door.

Edwards told Middlesbrough’s media: “(I’m) really pleased. I think we’ve done some great work. Really pleased with the lads that we got in the building.

“I think they give us great strength and depth, really good quality, and good people.

“There’s a great range of people who are experienced in the Championship and are experienced players, mixed with a few younger ones, and obviously one or two foreign players that come in that are really exciting to work with as well. I think it’s a really good blend.”

On Strelec, Edwards said: “I really like him. I think the supporters are really going to like him as well. He’s really excited about coming in and helping us. So, delighted with that one.”

Regarding Browne, Edwards added: “Someone who’s fresh off a promotion from this league, knows exactly what it takes, has turned out a heck of a lot of games at this level.

“Great experience, really good person, wants to come. I think it was good business.”

On Boro’s squad overall, Edwards concluded: “We’ve got some real talent here, and we’re looking very solid.”

Although Edwards failed to directly mention the elephant in the Middlesbrough room regarding Hayden Hackney’s future, the Boro boss was asked about the “speculation”.

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Rob Edwards is ‘really happy’ with the Middlesbrough group after deadline day

Across the summer window, Boro completed three big-money sales and managed to retain prized asset Hackney.

Earlier in the window, Josh Coburn was sold to Millwall after his loan last season, and Rav van den Berg joined FC Koln for £11.2m after weeks of speculation surrounding his future.

Towards the end of the window, Southampton signed Finn Azaz from Middlesbrough for an initial £12m fee, leaving Boro with just shy of £5m profit from their summer business.

On the speculation and departures, Edwards said: “We know now who we are and where we’re at for the next four months or so, which is important.

“With a couple of lads being sold for a decent amount of money, but there was always a plan for that, and we probably expected it as well.

“But now, we know with the group that we’ve got and we’re working with, I’m really happy.”

With 11 quality signings recruited and a near £5m profit made, Edwards and the Middlesbrough hierarchy ought to be “really happy”, but now the Boro boss must use that positivity as fuel to continue their early second tier title charge.