RYAN Giles has completed his move to Middlesbrough, with the left-back joining on loan until the end of the season.

There isn't an option to make the switch permanent at the end of the campaign but Boro are understood to be happy with the deal agreed. They're not paying all of Giles' Hull wages and, if the move worked out in the coming months, there'd likely be a willingness on all sides to strike a permanent deal in the summer.

Giles will be desperate to get his career back on track at the Riverside on the back of a disappointing 18 months. His return will be welcomed in the dressing room, where he was a hugely popular figure during his previous loan spell.

Giles completed his medical on Thursday afternoon after Boro and Hull came to an agreement on the defender. He's signed in time to be available for Saturday's game at Preston, but isn't expected to go straight into the starting XI.

Giles will wear the No.28 shirt in the second half of the season.

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The transfer will delight boss Carrick, who pushed for the signing of Giles in the summer and again this month when it became clear Hull were willing to allow the defender to move on.

Boro initially tried to sign Giles in the summer of 2023 after his successful loan deal but the full-back instead opted to join Luton Town. That move didn't work out and he linked up with Hull 12 months ago on a loan deal that was then made permanent in the summer.

But he's struggled for form on Humberside this season and new boss Ruben Selles was happy to give Giles the green light to move on.

Returning to Boro will delight Giles, who was desperate to rejoin in the summer and is understood to have regretted his decision not to make his switch permanent 18 months ago.