Former Zenit St Petersburg man Victor Orta takes up role at The Riverside.
Middlesbrough have added another Spaniard to their managerial ranks with the appointment of Victor Orta as their new sporting director.
Orta has a wealth of experience following stints with Sevilla, Elche and Russian giants Zenit St Petersburg.
Boro have been looking to add to their hierarchy with someone with more experience in football and Orta is set to take on a major role, particularly in transfers.
Orta is already understood to have put pen-to-paper with the Championship leaders, although manager Aitor Karanka – who has played a major role in landing him – refused to confirm his appointment.
However, he did confirm a deal was close at his weekly press conference, available on the club’s official website and said: “As a professional he [Orta] has an amazing reputation in Spain.
“I know him obviously because in football in Spain everybody knows each other.
“If we can, in the end, bring him here it will be a really, really interesting addition for us.”
Middlesbrough are currently top of the Championship after beating Burnley at home in the week, while Brighton and Hove Albion dropped points, drawing against QPR.
The sides are just separated by goal difference, which makes this weekend’s match even more exciting.
The Teesiders travel to Brighton for top of the table clash on Saturday, with the game kicking off at 12.30pm.
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