'Perfect fit' - Ireland underage international Finn Azaz completes move from Aston Villa to Middlesbrough

Republic of Ireland underage international Finn Azaz has completed a move from Aston Villa to Middlesbrough.

The 23-year-old midfielder, who has played for the Ireland Under-21s, signed for an undisclosed fee.

Azaz will arrive at the Riverside Stadium on a four-and-a-half-year contract after starring during an 18-month loan spell at Championship rivals Plymouth.

"I could see that it would be a good fit, from speaking to the manager, and from playing against the club and from speaking to the staff and a couple of players here. It seemed like the perfect fit," said Azaz, speaking on the Middlesbrough's media channel.

"It's the next step for me and hopefully I can step out of my comfort zone and grow again and keep improving."

"I'm an attacking midfielder by mould, but I'm very versatile and I'm constantly looking for space and playing forward, that's hopefully what I will be bringing," added Azaz, when asked what Middlesbrough fans can expect from their new signing.

Manager Michael Carrick said: "I'm delighted to bring Finn to the club. He's an exciting player who already comes with good experience. He’s had a good season so far and we’re really looking forward to working with him."

The two sides will actually meet in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday - Azaz is not eligible to play - and Carrick has warned his players they have no chance of knocking Premier League high-fliers Aston Villa out of the FA Cup unless they firmly believe they can.

The Sky Bet Championship side host Unai Emery's men – who currently sit in second place in the top flight after a fine first half of the season – in the third round on Saturday, desperate to erase memories of last season’s 5-1 drubbing by Brighton at the same stage.

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