Third time lucky as Middlesbrough finally seal Ryan Giles return in loan deal from Hull City
Ryan Giles has sealed his return to Middlesbrough, with the left-back joining Boro on loan from Hull City until the end of the season.
It is understood that the loan agreement includes no options to purchase at the end of the season, though should the loan work out, a permanent switch at that point is unlikely to be difficult to arrange. Boro aren't believed to be paying all Giles's Hull City wage during the loan spell.
His return will delight head coach Michael Carrick, who has pushed for Boro to re-sign the 24-year-old since his successful loan spell at the Riverside in the 2022-23 campaign. Giles helped Boro reach the Championship play-offs after registering 12 assists and despite two difficult seasons since, it is hoped he can recapture his form on Teesside and emulate that achievement this term.
READ MORE: Middlesbrough's belief as they allow Micah Hamilton to complete League One loan move
READ MORE: 'Wouldn't be surprised' - Michael Carrick on Millwall's interest in Middlesbrough's Josh Coburn
It's a case of third time lucky as far as Boro's attempts to sign the attack-minded full-back are concerned. They tried to bring him back to the Riverside from Wolves, immediately following his successful loan in the summer of 2023. However, newly-promoted Luton Town also entered the race and the defender opted to challenge himself in the Premier League at that time.
However, it didn't work out for Giles at Kenilworth Road and Giles joined Hull City on loan last January, in a deal that included an obligation for the Tigers to buy him permanently in the summer. Boro ended up needing a left-back last year after Alex Bangura suffered a long-term injury, but Hull were already well down the line at that stage and Boro weren't willing to match the terms of Hull's agreement with Luton. They signed Luke Thomas on loan from Leicester City instead.
With Thomas failing to impress on Teesside though, and with Bangura suffering another long-term injury in this summer's pre-season, Boro once again attempted to lure Giles back. They tried to capitalise on Hull's uncertain financial picture after the obligated transfer was completed, but at that stage a deal was unable to be concluded.
But in a case of third-time lucky, the recent appointment of Ruben Selles saw Giles become surplus to requirements at the MKM Stadium, with the Tigers signing Charlie Taylor on loan from Southampton instead. As such, Boro made their move again and have concluded a deal to bring the popular wing-back to Teesside for a second spell.
