Sun 24th May - Upton Park
By James Dall Last updated: 4th July 2008
Emnes: Boro switch
Middlesbrough have completed the signing of forward Marvin Emnes from Eredivisie side Sparta Rotterdam.
The 20-year-old has joined for a fee of €4million (£3.2million) and agreed a four-year contract at The Riverside after passing a medical.
Emnes reportedly attracted interest from a number of European clubs after he scored eight goals in 26 games last term and was named as Sparta fans' player of the year.
Boro, however, have won the race to secure his signature, and manager Gareth Southgate has expressed his delight at the capture.
"We feel we have signed an exciting young player in Marvin," Southgate told the club's official website.
"Last season was his breakthrough year at Sparta Rotterdam and he ended the campaign with a flurry, scoring eight goals in his final 10 games.
"He can play anywhere across the front line, so he has versatility to go with pace, energy and technical skills.
"Marvin is very enthusiastic about coming to England and the challenge of Premier League football.
"He also fits the profile of the sort of players we want at Middlesbrough, in that he is a young player with hunger, energy and pace."

A look at the best pictures as Michael Owen completes a surprise move to Manchester United.
Pictures from the unveiling of Real Madrid's reported £56 million signing at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Pictures from the Under 21 championship semi-final between England and Sweden in Gothenburg.
Pictures from England's draw with Germany in the last Group B game of the Under 21 Championships.
A look at the best pictures as Michael Owen completes a surprise move to Manchester United.
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 22nd July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:30 | Dumbarton vs Middlesbrough |
| Saturday 25th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 15:00 | Carlisle vs Middlesbrough |
| Wednesday 29th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:30 | Darlington vs Middlesbrough |
| Friday 7th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 20:00 | Middlesbrough vs Sheff Utd |
| Saturday 15th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Swansea vs Middlesbrough |
| Tuesday 18th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Scunthorpe vs Middlesbrough |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Middlesbrough vs Doncaster |
| Saturday 29th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Bristol City vs Middlesbrough |
| Saturday 12th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Middlesbrough vs Ipswich |
| Tuesday 15th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Sheff Wed vs Middlesbrough |
| Saturday 19th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Middlesbrough vs West Brom |
| Saturday 26th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Coventry vs Middlesbrough |
| Tuesday 29th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Middlesbrough vs Leicester |
| Saturday 3rd October | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Reading vs Middlesbrough |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 24th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Ham 2 - 1 Middlesbrough | |
| Saturday 16th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Middlesbrough 1 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Monday 11th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 3 - 1 Middlesbrough | |
| Saturday 2nd May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Middlesbrough 0 - 2 Man Utd | |
| Sunday 26th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 2 - 0 Middlesbrough | |
| Saturday 18th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Middlesbrough 0 - 0 Fulham | |
| Saturday 11th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Middlesbrough 3 - 1 Hull | |
| Saturday 4th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Bolton 4 - 1 Middlesbrough | |
| Saturday 21st March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Stoke 1 - 0 Middlesbrough | |
| Saturday 14th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Middlesbrough 1 - 1 Portsmouth | |
| Sunday 8th March | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Everton 2 - 1 Middlesbrough | |
| Wednesday 4th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Tottenham 4 - 0 Middlesbrough | |
| Saturday 28th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Middlesbrough 2 - 0 Liverpool | |
| Wednesday 25th February | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Middlesbrough 2 - 0 West Ham | |
| Saturday 21st February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Middlesbrough 0 - 0 Wigan | |
| Saturday 14th February | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| West Ham 1 - 1 Middlesbrough | |
| Saturday 7th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man City 1 - 0 Middlesbrough | |
| Saturday 31st January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Middlesbrough 0 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Wednesday 28th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 2 - 0 Middlesbrough | |
| Saturday 24th January | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Wolverhampton 1 - 2 Middlesbrough | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Ipswich Town | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Leicester City | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | Middlesbrough | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Newcastle United | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Nottingham Forest | 0 | 0 |
Matthew Bates has insisted he has no regrets about his decision to remain at Middlesbrough.
Chelsea have completed the signing of Ross Turnbull from Middlesbrough on a free transfer.
David Wheater is confident of being fit for Middlesbrough's season opener against Sheffield United.
Sky Sports has announced its first live games for the season, including Boro, Newcastle and WBA.
Gareth Southgate insists that he will not throw youngsters into his first team for the sake of it.