Folarin Balogun joins Middlesbrough

Folarin Balogun has joined Championship side Middlesbrough on loan for the rest of the season, Arsenal have confirmed.

The England under-21 international heads to the Riverside to gain more senior experience under manager Chris Wilder who had previously tried to sign the player while at Sheffield United.

Balogun’s loan move comes as no surprise despite the question marks hanging over Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Eddie Nketiah and Alex Lacazette.

The 20-year-old has scored 13 goals and 3 assists in 11 Premier League 2 fixtures this season and definitely needs to test himself at a higher level before making a claim for a regular place in Mikel Arteta’s matchday squads.

On his new signing, Boro boss Chris Wilder said: “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.

“He has great movement, good pace, and he’s a natural finisher. We’re looking forward to working with him.”