Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka has admitted that he wanted to sign striker David Nugent in his first season at the club.

The Spaniard secured a deal in the region of £4m for the 30-year-old when the forward completed a move from Leicester City.

Karanka has revealed that he has been a long-time admirer of the former England international after trying to sign him last season.

He told reporters: "I am very pleased because David is a player I wanted in my first season here. He's a player I like a lot but it was impossible then. Finally, it has been possible.

"Once again we are showing that we are working together – the chairman, the chief executive, the club – everybody is working together and we are bringing in the right players and, especially for me, good people, and players who want to come here and for me that is the main thing."

Karanka confirmed that the signing of Nugent ended their pursuit of Blackburn Rovers forward Jordan Rhodes.