PATRICK BAMFORD has pledged to deliver goals after his season-long loan to Middlesbrough was finally completed this evening.

Bamford, who turns 21 next week, has moved from Chelsea for the remainder of the campaign and is expected to be named on the substitutes’ bench for tomorrow’s Championship game with Reading.

The England Under-21 international scored eight goals in 23 games for Derby County last season, having previously netted 21 goals in an earlier loan spell at MK Dons, and is determined to remain as prolific in Middlesbrough colours.

“Hopefully, the fans can expect goals, that’s what I like to aim for,” said Bamford. “I think my movement and finishing is a good part of my game, which will hopefully help with bringing other players into play.

“Middlesbrough jumped out at me when I spoke to the manager and heard his aspirations. When he put forward to me what he was looking to achieve, I was eager to come here and play.”

Boro have pursued Bamford for the majority of the summer, and Aitor Karanka was hinting the deal was as good as done more than a fortnight ago.

It took until today for the technicalities of the move to be ironed out, in which time a number of other Championship clubs made approaches to try to poach the striker.

Bamford held to his word to move to Teesside though, and will join Chelsea team-mate Kenneth Omeruo, with midfielder Lewis Baker still another potential recruit ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline.

“It’s taken a while, but I’m glad to finally be here,” he said. “I had a chat with Aitor about ten days ago, but there was a hold up in the paperwork after I’d decided it was Middlesbrough that I wanted to go to.

“It seemed to take forever to go through, but then it was just a case of getting up here for the game on Saturday.”

Despite the arrival of Spanish striker Kike, Karanka had been looking to increase his attacking options further following the summer departure of Lukas Jutkiewicz and Marvin Emnes, and the recent decision to terminate Kei Kamara’s contract, and is delighted to finally have Bamford on board.

“Everyone knows that Patrick is a very good player with a bright future in the game,” said the Boro head coach. “He scored a lot of goals during his previous loan spells and will be a good addition to our squad.

“I first inquired about trying to bring Patrick to Middlesbrough last December, so I am delighted that everything has now been agreed. I’m looking forward to working with him.”