Middlesbrough loan deal for young defender now done – Official confirmation coming soon

First reported by L’Equipe on Thursday afternoon, Middlesbrough are definitely signing Harold Moukoudi on loan from Saint-Etienne.

The young centre-back has struggled to find first-team action with the Ligue 1 club since arriving on a free from Le Havre in the summer and reportedly asked his club to allow him to go out on loan.

L’Equipe were fairly adamant it was happening, and now there’s further confirmation a deal is happening.

Eurosport journalist Manu Lonjon took to social media to confirm the loan was done, and the official announcement was on its way.

Moukoudi will move to Riverside Stadium on a six-month loan and Middlesbrough will not have an option to buy him, meaning he will return to Saint-Etienne once the temporary deal expires in June.

Prior to his move to the Ligue 1 side, Moukoudi came close to signing for Steve Bruce’s Aston Villa, but eventually decided against, preferring to stay in France to continue his career.

H Moukoudi ( ASSE) prêté à Middlesbrough : c’est fait ! ✅
Prêt sans OA . Officialisation à venir !

— Manu ⭐️⭐️ (@ManuLonjon) January 31, 2020