MILOS VELJKOVIC has revealed that Aitor Karanka's willingness to give young players a chance was a key factor behind his decision to join Middlesbrough on loan.

Veljkovic signed a three-month loan deal at the Riverside this morning, and is is contention to make his Boro debut at Brighton on Saturday.

The Serbian teenager discussed Boro's interest with his Tottenham team-mate Ryan Fredericks, who is already on loan at Teesside, and was left in doubt as to the potential benefits of a spell in the North-East.

"He (Fredericks) told me it's a great club," said Veljkovic, who will wear Boro's number 29 shirt. "He said there’s great openings for young players to play here and develop, I’ll try my best in training and give 100 per cent.”

Veljkovic can play at both centre-half and in central midfield, and his versatility was one of the main reasons Karanka approached Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino in an attempt to sign him.

The 19-year-old made Premier League appearances against Aston Villa and Sunderland last season, but excpects the Championship to make different demands of him.

"I can play in both midfield and defence, wherever the gaffer wants me to play I can do both," he told Middlesbrough's official website. "I've been following the Boro games and the team are doing very well at the moment in trying to get back into the Premier League.

"The Championship is a bit rougher than the Premier League, so I hope I can get a lot of games in to adapt."