Middlesbrough close in on fourth summer signing as Zack Steffen's Man City loan nears completion

Middlesbrough are close to completing their fourth signing of the summer, with Zach Steffen set to join on a season-long loan from Manchester City. The goalkeeper is set to undergo a medical on Teesside over the weekend to finalise the move that would see him become Chris Wilder's new number one.

Wilder and the Boro squad are in Portugal right now on their warm-weather training camp, where they will take on Braga on Friday evening. All being well though, Steffen should complete his move to then meet his new Boro team-mates next week when they return from the continent.

The breakthrough comes after a wait was needed for the American to sort his work permit. The USA international has been allowed to leave Man City this summer after they signed Stefan Ortega to challenge Ederson for their number one jersey. Steffen was reportedly desperate to get out on loan and play games, with his place in the USA national side under threat leading into the World Cup later this year.

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As he waited for his work permit to be renewed, the 27-year-old has instead been stuck in his home country training alone, all the while knowing it was the only real thing holding up his move to Middlesbrough. With that now sorted though, Steffen is due to arrive on Teesside imminently to complete his medical and finalise the move, allowing him to finally start focusing on the new season with his new team-mates.

He will be Boro's fourth signing of the summer, following Darragh Lenihan, Ryan Giles and fellow goalkeeper Liam Roberts through the door. Roberts has impressed many within the club since signing on a free after winning Northampton Town's Player of the Year