Middlesbrough have confirmed the signing of Ipswich Town midfielder Grant Leadbitter on a free transfer.
The transfer sees Ipswich lose money on the player following his 2.6-million-pound signing from Sunderland in 2009 but, with his contract expiring in the off-season, he moves to the Riverside Stadium for free.
Leadbitter has signed a three-year deal that begins in July and, following three seasons at Portman Road, is eagerly anticipating a new start.
Speaking to the club s official website, he said: I m pretty excited. I wanted a fresh challenge and when the opportunity to join Middlesbrough came in, I just couldn t turn it down.
I just want to play well for Middlesbrough and get the club in the Premier League.
Leadbitter s new manager, Tony Mowbray, is also excited about the purchase, insisting that he will be a good replacement for Barry Robson.
He said: I am delighted we have managed to sign a player of Grant s quality, tenacity and competitive edge.
In my mind, we are signing a player who has matured to have a good understanding of the game.
We knew that Grant was out of contract and when a player of his qualities is in that position we obviously became interested. Hopefully he will be a core player for us in a side that will be pushing for promotion next season.
