Middlesbrough have confirmed they have re-signed goalkeeper Tomas Mejias on a free transfer just one year after he departed the club.

The 30-year-old has agreed a two-year deal to return to Teesside, where he will link up with former teammate and current Boro head coach Jonathan Woodgate.

Mejias made 17 appearances during his first stint at the club between 2014 and 2018, during which time he played second fiddle to the likes of Dimi Konstantopoulos, Victor Valdes and Darren Randolph.

The Spaniard returns to the north-east after spending one season playing for Cypriot side Omonia Nicosia, where he made 28 top-flight appearances.

A Real Madrid academy product, Mejias produced some memorable moments when called upon during his first spell, with his performances in cup victories over Manchester United and Manchester City particularly standing out.

Mejias will now rival Randolph for the number one jersey ahead of the 2019/20 season.

The Verdict

This is a sensible signing for Middlesbrough as Woodgate looks to add depth to the squad ahead of the new season.

Mejias is known to several members of the Boro staff, as he also worked with goalkeeper coach Leo Percovich during his first spell at the Riverside Stadium.

The club needed another goalkeeping option to rival Randolph and Mejias they know will be a good fit, particularly seeing as he now has a full season of first-team football under his belt.

This show of faith from Boro will give Mejias a big confidence boost, and he should now have a big opportunity to fully prove his talent to the Boro faithful.