Sunderland loanee Alan Browne reveals why he chose Middlesbrough over Blackburn Rovers

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The Sunderland loanee won promotion from the Championship to the Premier League last season, and the midfielder wants to do so again at Boro.

Middlesbrough have enjoyed a “brilliant” start under Rob Edwards, with his new-look Boro outfit storming to the second tier summit after the first four games.

Edwards’ side have cemented their status as early promotion contenders, and their summer transfer window business has solidified that.

Middlesbrough’s £6.5m signing of David Strelec, who recently scored a stunner against Germany in a World Cup qualifier for Slovakia, may have stolen the headlines but Boro completed some other shrewd business that has gone more under-the-radar.

Boro made three loan swoops for Premier League talents, with Sverre Nypan of Manchester City, Matt Targett of Newcastle United and Sunderland midfielder Alan Browne all arriving for the season.

Now, Browne has revealed what convinced him to choose Middlesbrough at the eleventh hour.

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Alan Browne reveals why signed for Middlesbrough on loan from Sunderland

On deadline day, reports emerged that Middlesbrough were set to sign Browne on loan from their regional rivals Sunderland following the Black Cats’ promotion to the Premier League.

With the window’s conclusion fast approaching, Blackburn Rovers wanted Browne and were reportedly best placed to sign the Republic of Ireland international due to him having lived in Lancashire for a decade during his Preston North End stint.

However, Middlesbrough won the race for Browne, and the Sunderland stalwart has explained that a phone call with Boro boss Edwards, with the window’s deadline approaching, was pivotal to his decision.

Browne told BBC Sport Tees: “I think I’ve settled in quite well. You know, it’s a great group of lads and training has been really good, so I’ve enjoyed my time so far.

“It (the move to Middlesbrough) was quite sudden, to be honest. You know, I had an interest elsewhere and I was probably more inclined to go there,

“But the night before the window closed, the gaffer (Rob Edwards) rang me up and said they were interested and it ticked a lot of boxes for me.

“I think I can help the team as well as they can help me, so it made sense to come here and they’ve made a great start and hopefully we can continue that.

“Although I’m a seasoned pro in the Championship, I’ve only got one promotion, so it was obviously a good year last year and I’m hoping to replicate that again this year.”

After years of experience in the second tier at Preston and Sunderland, Browne will bring lots of qualities to Middlesbrough and will be hunting for his second successive promotion.

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How Alan Browne will help Middlesbrough’s promotion push

In an ironic twist of fate, Browne could make his Middlesbrough debut this weekend against the side he featured for 414 times over ten years, when Boro travel to Deepdale on Saturday afternoon.

Browne arrived on Wearside on a free transfer last summer as the perfect accompaniment to the youthful exuberance of Regis Le Bris’ squad.

However, given the form of Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham as the ‘number 8s’ in Le Bris’ best Black Cats XI, Browne found it difficult to nail down a starting role for Sunderland.

To make matters worse, Browne suffered a serious injury in a 2-2 draw with Coventry City in November, but upon his return, he showcased the experience and know-how he has built up over the years.

Towards the end of the season, as a mark of Le Bris’ trust in the 30-year-old, he was played in an unfavoured full-back role with injury issues for Dennis Cirkin and Leo Hjelde.

However, he took to an unfamiliar role with aplomb, but did not feature within the Black Cats’ successful play-off campaign.

If ever there were two adjectives to describe what Browne provides, they are ‘versatile’ and ‘experienced’, and that is exactly what the former Preston hero will bring to Middlesbrough this season as the midfielder hunts for second top flight promotion in as many seasons.