Middlesbrough agree deal to sign Bernardo Espinosa from Sporting Gijon

Middlesbrough have confirmed that a deal has been reached to sign Bernardo Espinosa from Sporting Gijon.

The 26-year-old defender will join up with his new teammates on July 1 when his current contract in Spain expires.

Espinosa's arrival will mark the club's first signing since they sealed promotion back to the Premier League after they finished second in the Championship last season.

Top-flight sides Everton, Watford and Bournemouth were linked with the defender, but he has opted to move to the Riverside.

Espinosa joined Sporting Gijon from Sevilla in 2013 and went on to make more than 90 appearances.