Middlesbrough’s signing of Aden Flint from Bristol City shows their intent for next season.

Boro’s squad boasts a host of ex-Premier League and high-end Championship quality.

That was evident as they made the play-offs under Tony Pulis, a man who knows his way round the top two tiers of English football.

Adding Flint is a signing that should make other teams in the Championship stand up and take note.

Flint was a rock at the back for a Bristol City side that were gunning for promotion for the vast majority of the season.

The 28-year-old is a steal for £7 million and will add further rigidity to a Boro side who were near impenetrable at times last term.

His sheer presence should be enough to make opposition strikers Saturday afternoon’s a torrid affair come August.

Boro also added more creativity in the middle of the park that was sorely lacking in spells last season.

They had the presence in wider areas but it was in the middle of the park where the lack of quality was noticed. 

Paddy McNair, costing £5 million from Sunderland, is that man who will be looking to unlock defences with acute and devastating passes.

Pulis has added players in positions that it was needed. A more stringent defence going forward and a more creative midfield to assist the forwards and alleviate the pressure on the wider areas.

Boro will be an even bigger force next year if they continue to match the calibre of player they have already brought in.