Middlesbrough have secured an important January transfer as they sealed a loan deal for Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers.

Strengthening their goalkeeper department became a priority this month after Sol Brynn and Seny Dieng both suffered long-term injuries. It left Tom Glover as the only senior keeper currently fit, with academy keeper Shea Connor making the bench in recent weeks. Travers, 25, was identified as a potential target this month as the Ireland international made clear his desire to leave the Vitality due to a lack of game-time this season.

He was behind Chelsea loanee Kepa Arrizabalaga in the pecking order. Also wanted by Watford, Boro had to be patient to get the deal over the line, with the Cherries having to assess their own options when third-choice keeper Will Dennis suffered an injury which thankfully cleared in time to sanction the move. He travelled to Teesside on Tuesday evening and completed the formalities and medical on Wednesday.

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Travers, who was known to Jonathan Woodgate from the Boro assistant coach’s time at Bournemouth, has considerable Championship experience. He made 45 appearances in the season they won promotion back to the Premier League, and also spent the first half of last season on loan at Stoke City where he made 14 appearances.

This season, he’s made only five appearances - all of which came in the Premier League. The most recent came against Chelsea, with Kepa ineligible to play against his parent club, with Travers showing his quality in a solid display that included one eye-catching save from Cole Palmer. Good with his feet, he was identified as an ideal fit for Michael Carrick’s preferred style at Boro.

He becomes Boro’s fourth signing of the January transfer window after previous deals for Ryan Giles (loan), George Edmundson and Morgan Whittaker.