Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate was poised to get his hands on midfielder Gary O´Neil on Friday as his prolonged pursuit finally paid off.Southgate targeted the Portsmouth player after being handed the reins at the Riverside Stadium last summer, but had to wait until this week to make the breakthrough.The 24-year-old was undergoing a medical on Teesside after the two clubs agreed a £5million fee, and Southgate said: "He is very comfortable in the role he plays, which we have not always had in that position. Although he is 24, he is a very experienced Premier League player, he is a quality footballer, he is a very good athlete, a very fit lad."
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