Former Bristol City playmaker Jamie Paterson has joined Neil Warnock's Middlesbrough for their pre-season tour of the West Country.
Paterson is available on a free transfer following his release at Ashton Gate last month as Nigel Pearson launched a full-scale rebuild of his first-team squad.
The 29-year-old will feature in tonight's friendly against Saltash United in Cornwall with Boro also having matches scheduled against Tavistock on Wednesday and Plymouth Argyle on Friday.
"Jamie is a lad I’ve always kept in touch with. It’s a good opportunity to have look at him in this environment, it’s a no-brainer really," Warnock told the Northern Echo.
Paterson made 157 appearances for City over his five seasons in BS3, scoring 26 times, after signing from Nottingham Forest in 2016 and proved a popular figure throughout his time with the Robins.
The Coventry-born midfielder delivered an emotional farewell to City fans once his exit was confirmed in May and of the 10 first-team players released on June 30, he's one of five yet to find a new club.
On Monday, Famara Diedhiou's switch to Alanyaspor was confirmed, while earlier this month Liam Walsh signed a three-year contract at Swansea City, Tommy Rowe rejoined Doncaster Rovers, Henri Lansbury moved to Luton and Rene Gilmartin was appointed as Swindon assistant manager only to resign a few weeks later.
Meanwhile, Jack Hunt is a target for former club Sheffield Wednesday but the futures of Marley Watkins, Adrian Mariappa and Hakeeb Adelakun remain uncertain.
Boro have made four first-team signings so far this summer with the additions of Sammy Ameobi, Joe Lumley and Lee Peltier on free transfers plus the arrival of Uche Ikpeazu for an undisclosed fee from Wycombe Wanderers.
The summer exits of forwards Britt Assombalonga, Ashley Fletcher and winger Marvin Johnson has left them light in the final third.
.jpg?w=600)
