Boro land free agent Bikey

Middlesbrough have completed the signing of free agent André Bikey on a one-year-deal, which could be extended depending on how the defender settles into life in the North-East and how much football he plays.

Middlesbrough have completed the signing of free agent André Bikey on a one-year-deal, which could be extended depending on how the defender settles into life in the North-East and how much football he plays.

Bikey has Premier League experience after representing both Reading and Burnley in the top flight and at 27-years-old, should be in his best years as a footballer once he is match fit.

The Cameroon international has also played for his country 20 times, so does provide some much needed experience to the Boro squad and he also played a vital role in helping Bristol City survive in the Championship last season.

The Robins were in a real relegation battle before Bikey came in and helped steady the ship. In fact, football betting experts will have seen that in the eight games that he played, City were unbeaten in seven of them.

He certainly seems to have ambition as well and has one thing on his mind at the moment – helping Tony Mowbray’s side back into the promise land.

The central-defender said: "I'm excited about the chance of helping Middlesbrough get back into the Premier League

"The club just missed out on the play-offs last season and I can sense the ambition to go one better this year."

Mowbray himself is delighted to have brought Bikey to the Riverside Stadium, but he has urged everyone to be patient and wait for him to reach full fitness before fans see the best of him.

The Boro boss added: "André is a player I have liked for a long time. He is a different type of centre-half to what we have got.

“André hasn't played a great deal of football in the last year but when he gets up to speed our supporters will see the qualities he possesses."

The former Reading man is thought to be a replacement for injured captain Rhys Williams, who faces up to four months on the sidelines after damaging his ankle ligaments in a Capital One Cup tie against Gillingham.

• Boro hopeful of Jonny Howson return for Chelsea clash
• Luke Ayling joins Boro on loan from Leeds United

However, Bikey is not likely to feature in Saturday’s home game in the Championship against Ipswich.