Middlesbrough have completed the signing of Celtic prospect Josh Dede, with the right-back initially set to link-up with Boro's under-21 side.

Dede, who is a versatile player also capable of playing on the wing, was due to be out of contract at the end of the season. Though Boro could have signed a pre-contract agreement now to sign Dede in the summer, they instead managed to negotiate a low up-front fee with the Scottish league leaders, with performance-related bonuses included.

Though Dede was yet to make a first-team breakthrough at Celtic Park, Brendan Rogers did take a closer look at him in the summer, with the right-back playing two early friendlies against Queens Park and Ayr United. This season he's been a regular for the B side and also played all six games of the U18's UEFA Youth League games. He was a former team-mate of current Boro star Ben Doak in the Bhoys' youth sides too.

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Dede is considered a bright prospect and someone Boro hope can develop into a long-term right-back for the club - a position where Anfernee Dijksteel and Tommy Smith are out of contract this summer, while Luke Ayling is 33 and has another season left on his current deal. Dijksteel could potentially leave this month too if Boro manage to find a replacement, but Dede is not believed to be that at this stage.

Initially planned to join the under-21 squad led by Mark Tinkler, it's a second eye-catching signing for Boro this month with future development in mind. They previously beat numerous clubs to the signature of Eastbourne Borough's 18-year-old powerhouse midfielder Brayden Johnson.

Speaking after securing that deal, Michael Carrick said: “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."