Date published: Wednesday 12th January 2022 12:09 – News Desk
Championship side Middlesbrough have signed Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun on loan until the end of the 2021/22 season, Boro have confirmed.
The 20-year-old has featured twice for Arsenal in the Premier League this term. He contributed with two goals in the Europa League in 2020/21.
Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder told the club’s official website: “We’re delighted to get Flo in. He’s a player I’ve known about for a long time and we identified him as someone who could come in and improve us in the second half of the season.”
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“He has great movement, good pace, and he’s a natural finisher. We’re looking forward to working with him.”
England Under-21 international Balogun follows Brighton frontman Aaron Connolly and permanent signing Caolan Boyd-Munce to Teesside this month.
Boro, who have won five of their last six league games, currently lie in seventh place in the table just a point shy of the play-off places.
Elsewhere, Arsenal are expected to be in the market for new signings this month. Mikel Arteta believes they can still attract the “best players in the world”:
“I’m really sorry to disappoint you but you know I’m not going to be discussing any transfer rumours,” said Arteta.
“What I really want this month is that we have as many players fit and healthy, and we do as much as possible with these players. After that we have a strategy and we will do that when possible.
“Historically, this club has targeted the best players in the world and the best players have always been attracted to Arsenal.
“That situation hasn’t changed. It is a big advantage for us.”