After having trials with both Aston Villa and Middlesbrough, it appears that Enes Mahmutovic has chosen the latter.
The 19-year-old defender, who already has two caps for his national team Luxembourg, will join Boro on the 1st of July, as announced by the club’s website.
The centre-back’s former club, CS Fola Esch in Luxembourg, also confirmed the news, expressing their pride that one of their players had signed for a Premier League club.
Boro admitted on their website the signing was one for the future, and would first play with the club’s reserves in order to allow him to settle and further his development before thinking about first-team football.
Speaking to Sport Witness, Enes Mahmutovic expressed his delight at signing the three-year contract with Middlesbrough.
He said: “I’m very happy to have been able to complete this transfer to a club of great tradition like Middlesbrough FC. I am sure I will be making progress and develop further as a footballer in the near future. Playing for Middlesbrough and competing in English competitions is a big challenge for me, but I’m looking forward to taking every opportunity I get to show my talent and potential.
“I will make sure to work very hard and do my best to be a part of new successes with the club. I want to thank everyone at my former club Fola Esch for the great time I had and all the efforts they put to help me in my career.”
The man behind the transfer, Mahmutovic’s agent, Shukri Asllani, said he was ‘very proud and happy’ for his client for achieving what he saw was a ‘great step forward in his career’.
He continued: “He is a great talented player with huge potential who can still grow as a football player. English clubs are known for their good work with defenders and have educated top defenders over the years.
“We feel that Enes came at the right time to the right club and competition. I believe that Ends will continue to make progress and develop himself furthermore as a defender. I am sure the best is yet to come for Enes and his new club.”
Mahmutovic will turn 20 on the 22nd of May and has been been a regular for CS Fola Esch this season, making 26 appearances in all competitions, including a brief cameo in their Europa League qualifier, and provided two assists for his teammates along the way.
