Thank you for all the nice comments and thoughts.
I used to tell, that my brother had played against FC Barcelona. At the time when Neeskens and Johan Cruyff were in Barcelona.
Of course the truth was that my brother played in a ICE HOCKEY match against the famous Catalonian club at Camp Nou. There is an ice rink in there. After the ice hockey match, the players were invited to see a football match, too. My brother bought a FC Barcelona pennant to me and my younger brother. So I have had a Barcelona one and Boro one on my bedroom wall in the 1970's.
My brother played ice hockey from a very young age all the way until his mid 60's. He was over 80 year old when died after some health problems for the past six years.
My eldest brother was 15 years and two months older than me. I had three brothers and two sisters, and will will miss the eldest of our clan.
Up the Boro!
@jarkko adding my condolences Jarkko. Very sad to hear. He might be gone, but I think you have the memories that will stay with you always.
Thank you to everyone for the kind wishes to me. I am home again now and pleased to say everything has gone well and it has not been nearly as painful as I was worried. Just need to take it easy now for a few weeks, but will definitely be fit to watch the game on Friday.
I have a good feeling about this match and about the way the team/squad is being enhanced this transfer window. Feeling quite excited as things are continuing to develop.
CoB
@jarkko I too would like to offer my thoughts and condolences for you and your family at this sad time.
@jarkko I’ve just read your post. I’m so sorry to hear your bad news. Thinking of you.
The BBC is describing him as a winger, so is he the left back we need? If he is a wing/full back he has a pretty good goal scoring record in the MLS of 14 goals in 89 games. Berhalter has 14 in 120 MLS games ! I hope that he does have some defensive ability. We need to start shipping out some of the deadwood soon as if Vitek comes we will have 29 first team players.
The BBC is describing him as a winger, so is he the left back we need? If he is a wing/full back he has a pretty good goal scoring record in the MLS of 14 goals in 89 games. Berhalter has 14 in 120 MLS games ! I hope that he does have some defensive ability. We need to start shipping out some of the deadwood soon as if Vitek comes we will have 29 first team players.
He has been playing as a fullback or wingback for his club and the USMNT. In the earlier part of his career he spent some time playing as a winger. I think that he is recognised as a top-class full back who is very comfortable getting forward. All in all....exactly what we need
UTB
@selwynoz Interestingly, the BBC and Transfermarkt (see attachment) tell that Arfsten is a winger!
Also, mfc.co.uk is listing him as a winger, too: https://www.mfc.co.uk/teams
But you and the local papers on Teesside tells he is a LEFT back or wing back. I think he is left footed attacking wing-back, though.
But let's see how Hellberg will use him. He must be good if we chased him for over two years.
And yes, if Vitek is coming, we need to ship out at least four to five players. Dieng, Munroe (on loan), Borges/Bangura, Hamilton, Sane, McCabe/Kante or Hansen.
Up the Boro!
@jarkko Very, very sorry to hear your family news, a real dampener on the start of the season which bz comparison is trivia. When mz wife lost her brother she said it was like losing apart of her she didn't know she had. Best wishes to you and yours.
All the best,
John
Interesting. The US listings - USMNT and Columbus - show him as a defender.
You are correct that we will have to ship out some players. However, McCabe is not one of them. He is only 20 and therefore doesn't have to take a slot in the 25 man squad. Similarly with Cartwright (19 yo) and Daley (19 yo). They have both had good reports from pre-season work and can stay with the first team squad without taking a slot in the 25.
UTB
My condolences also Jarkko.
Looking online and on fan blogs, the consensus is that Arfsten is a winger or at best an attacking wingback.
Toronto fans generally did not see him as a defender or not a good one, which could be worrying.
Targett was limited in his attacking play which was why Conway was moved to the left side. However Targett was a decent defender.
Our defence is vulnerable at times and it looks as the this addition will not improve it. We certainly need another top class Championship level CB.
Which we already possessed ,of course.
Our defence is vulnerable at times and it looks as the this addition will not improve it. We certainly need another top class Championship level CB.
Jarkko rightly noted:
"And yes, if Vitek is coming, we need to ship out at least four to five players. Dieng, Munroe (on loan), Borges/Bangura, Hamilton, Sane, McCabe/Kante or Hansen.",
.....Burgzog, Silvera, Edmonson, McCormick, Sarmiento?,Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.
And how much of the £30 million or so that that lot cost us (and is still costing us) might we hope to recoup?
Any advance on zero?
@lenmasterman According to the Echo, Boro are set to offload two fringe forward players, with Delano Burgzorg on the verge of joining Preston North End and Kaly Sene set to return to Switzerland to join Young Boys.
It's understood a £2m deal for Burgzorg has been agreed with Preston and the forward is set to undergo his medical today.
Boro are in line to receive £1m for Sene, who struggled in his first season at the club and is now set to leave.
To me, this sounds like a good start.
Re: McCabe, I hope we keep him but I was thinking about a loan, too.
Up the Boro!
According to Northern Echo Burgzorg to Preston for 2 million pounds and Sene to Young Boys Berne for 1 million. We paid 1.6 million Euro for Burgzorg and 2 million Euro for Sene. Vitek on Teesside today to sign.
@lenmasterman MK Dons have signed winger Sam Silvera on a free transfer after he was released by Middlesbrough at the end of last season.
The 25-year-old was a first-choice player under former Boro boss Rob Edwards at the beginning of the 2025-26 season but was unable to retain a regular place in the side after suffering a foot injury in February.
Up the Boro!
@mw-in-darwin I hope you are not typing this info simultaneously, too.
Middlesbrough ‘agree deal’ with Manchester United
According to Sky Sports, an agreement between Boro and the Red Devils has been reached.
The fee will reportedly rise to £14m with bonuses and Manchester United are said to have inserted a 35 per cent sell-on clause, entitling the club to a slice of any fee Middlesbrough receive for Vitek in the future.
There is also thought to be matching rights and a buy-back option in the goalkeeper’s contract, which will become official upon the completion of a medical supposedly set to take place within the next 24 hours.
Up the Boro!
@mw-in-darwin and Jarkko
Thanks both.
A great start. 3 already moved on.
Ideally another 8 or 9 still to go either in the bargain basement or free.
Any advance on £3m ?
With a fair wind, a bit of luck and clutching the rabbit's foot we might even recoup what we have already spent on Sarmiento.
If Vitek is replacing SB does that mean we don’t have “one of our own” in the team any more?
@martin-bellamy Perhaps he is replacing Dieng?
Boro paying £7m guaranteed for the goalkeeper (payments will be undoubtedly be spread).
All in, if certain performance-related clauses are met, the deal could be worth £14m. Manchester United also have a sell-on fee clause, as well as a buy-back clause and matching rights agreement.
Up the Boro!
I had assumed, incorrectly, that Vitek was going to be a loan signing. Also he is only 22 so three years younger than Sol Brynn and has only played half the games that Sol has in men's football.