Michael Carrick believes Brayden Johnson joining Middlesbrough proves how attractive the football club is to young players right now - and it’s something he wants to make the most of.

Johnson, 18, joined Boro this week from National League South side Eastbourne Borough, having impressed in his first season at the club. Boro are believed to have beaten a number of Premier League and EFL clubs to the midfielder’s signature, and he will initially link up with the under-21 squad.

A remarkable story, the combative midfielder was playing the equivalent of Northern League Division Two last season, before being spotted and succeeding to earn a contract at Priory Lane after a trial. That incredible rise continues as he from the ninth tier to the second in just seven months, via a short stay in tier six.

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On Johnson’s arrival at Boro, Carrick said: “It’s fantastic for him. I met with him and his family yesterday for the first time and you could see how delighted he was to be here. It’s a big step for him and a fantastic opportunity.

“As a club, we look at recruitment at different levels and different age groups. Sometimes it’s for the first team, sometimes it’s more about the long-term and development. It’s an important structure to keep that evolving all the way through and bringing young talent to the club who we think have good potential.

“That’s what we’re always looking out for. In Brayden, he’s another one who we think we can offer a good opportunity to if he keeps doing the right things and it comes their way. It’s great to have him here.”

Johnson is the latest find from head of academy recruitment Martin Carter. He’s had great success in recent years in finding young players from the capital who, more times than not, have had to take a different route in the game after falling out of professional academies. Isaiah Jones was a classic example of this.

There are numerous London-born talents in Boro’s academy ranks now though, with the opportunities that Boro provide young players a really attractive fact for many young players Boro scout and approach.

Asked why he feels Boro find it easy right now convince players on the move to Teesside, the head coach continued: “It’s difficult to answer when I sit on this side of the fence. We are what we are first and foremost - in the way we play, the way we try and behave, and the way we treat the players. Players seem to really enjoy it and that can add to the attraction.

“In terms of the younger players, it’s a real positive to be in a position where we can bring them in and offer them opportunities. It’s not always the case [that players are so keen to join], but it’s the position we find ourselves in at the moment and we’ve got to make the most of it”