BORO AGREE YOUNG FEE WITH ADDICKS

Middlesbrough have agreed a fee of £2.5million with Charlton for defender Luke Young.

The 28-year-old defender has yet to have a medical at the Riverside and must still agree personal terms but he looks set to leave The Valley after more than 200 appearance for the Addicks.

If he does depart, he will follow Dennis Rommedahl out of the exit door after the Danish winger joined Ajax for a fee of £680,000.

Young joined the Addicks for £4million in 2000, but has been given permission by manager Alan Pardew to pursue his hopes of a return to the top flight following Charlton's relegation.

Pardew tried to buy Young when he was in charge of West Ham but has already bought the man he believes can be the former club captain's long-term successor - Yassin Moutaouakil.

Moutaoukil signed for Athletic from French side Chateauroux last month for around £400,000 and will be expected to take over from Young next season if his move to Boro is completed.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate, meanwhile, is hoping to add the defender to his squad after focusing on his forward line for much of the summer.

The Teessiders have already signed strikers Tuncay Sanli and Jeremie Aliadiere since the end of last season.

Taken from =football365=