Arsenal youngster Folarin Balogun joins Middlesbrough on loan amid a lack of action in the Premier League… with Chris Wilder hailing ‘natural finisher’ as a boost to play-off hopes
- Middlesbrough have sealed the signing of Folarin Balogun on loan from Arsenal
- The 20-year-old has only made four appearances under Mikel Arteta this season
- Chris Wilder insists Balogun is a ‘natural finisher’ who will improve his side
- Boro sit just outside the Championship play-off places with 21 matches to play
Middlesbrough have completed the signing of Folarin Balogun on loan from Arsenal until the end of the season.
Balogun, 20, has put pen to paper on a temporary move to the Championship side after undergoing a medical on Tuesday.
The Gunners youngster is in desperate need of first-team football after making just four appearances all season, with his last Premier League outing coming back in August.
Middlesbrough have completed the signing of Folarin Balogun on loan from Arsenal
Though having signed a new four-year contract in April 2021, he is certainly in the club’s long-term plans despite his lack of action this term.
And a loan switch to Middlesbrough, who currently sit just outside the Championship play-off places in seventh, will provide a much-needed platform to progress his career.
Boro boss Chris Wilder is a huge admirer of Balogun after his unsuccessful attempt to bring the England Under-21 striker to Sheffield United in 2020.
Balogun is in need of first-team football after making just four Gunners appearances this term
‘We’re delighted to get Flo in,’ Wilder said on Wednesday. ‘He’s a player I’ve known about for a long time and we identified him as someone who could come in and improve us in the second half of the season.
‘He has great movement, good pace, and he’s a natural finisher. We’re looking forward to working with him.’
Balogun has made 10 appearances for Arsenal since receiving his senior debut in October 2020, scoring two goals.
The New York-born star is not cup-tied, meaning he can play for Boro in their FA Cup fourth-round clash with Manchester United next month.
