TUNCAY OPENS HIS HEART

Middlesbrough newcomer Tuncay Sanli has vowed to "play with all my heart" as he aims to help fire the Teessiders back into Europe.

The Turkey international was unveiled to the media at the club's Rockliffe Park training ground on Friday afternoon - and is setting his sights high after arriving on a free transfer.

The former Fenerbahce attacker knows all about Boro's march to the UEFA Cup final in May 2006, where they were well beaten by Sevilla, and wants to help them emulate those feats again after finishing 12th last season.

"I know Middlesbrough have reached the UEFA Cup final and this is what I want to help them repeat," said the 25-year-old.

"I am sure I am at the right club and I want to do my best here.

"I am a player who plays with my heart and I will play with all of my heart to help Middlesbrough reach their targets.

"I want to be a part of the team and will do my best for the team."

Tuncay is an established international, with 13 goals in 43 appearances, and featured in both of Boro's pre-season games in their recent trip to Austria, where they lost to Schalke and drew with Hertha Berlin.

Boro boss Gareth Southgate believes he has pulled off a major coup in adding the versatile Turk - who is equally at home in midfield or up front - to his ranks.

And he has been impressed by his impact both on and off the field since arriving in the north-east.

"In terms of playing positions he gives us great options," said the former club captain, who is entering his second season in the Boro dugout.

"We've seen him play on the right side of midfield, on the left side of midfield, in the centre and he can play as an auxiliary striker.

"So he is a very talented player. He is an intelligent footballer, he has great skill, he has a fantastic work ethic and I think supporters will be surprised at the amount of work he gets through in a game for somebody that is an attack-minded player.

"He is prepared to run in behind defences and looks to make things happen, so in terms of the player we are delighted to have him."

Southgate is also convinced Tuncay will have no problems settling on Teesside.

He added: "In terms of the personality there has been a sparkle about him and an enthusiasm to be here which has been really exciting for all of us to see.

"He has settled in straight away into the group. When we were in Austria we had a translator with him when I went to meet him at the airport initially.

"We had the translator with us for one day, then Tuncay said he wanted to get in as quickly as he can with the team on his own.

"His English has improved already, he understands a fair amount and he can speak more than we would have expected at this stage, so he is making every effort to settle into the team."

Tuncay is Southgate's third summer signing following the arrivals of Jonathan Woodgate and Jeremie Aliadiere on four-year deals.

Middlesbrough have also announced their 'biggest-ever' shirt sponsorship deal with satellite navigation equipment company Garmin.

They have signed an initial one-year deal with Garmin, who replace 888.com, and talks are under way to extend the contract for a further year.

Taken from =football365=