Middlesbrough have completed the signing of Folarin Balogun on loan from Arsenal until the end of the season.

Balogun, 20, has put pen to paper on a temporary move to the Championship side after undergoing a medical on Tuesday.

The Gunners youngster is in desperate need of first-team football after making just four appearances all season, with his last Premier League outing coming back in August.

Though having signed a new four-year contract in April 2021, he is certainly in the club’s long-term plans despite his lack of action this term.

And a loan switch to Middlesbrough, who currently sit just outside the Championship playoff places in seventh, will provide a much-needed platform to progress his career.

Boro boss Chris Wilder is a huge admirer of Balogun after his unsuccessful attempt to bring the England Under-21 striker to Sheffield United in 2020.

‘We’re delighted to get Flo in,’ Wilder said on Wednesday. ‘He’s a player I’ve known about for a long time and we identified him as someone who could come in and improve us in the second half of the season.

‘He has great movement, good pace, and he’s a natural finisher. We’re looking forward to working with him.’

Balogun has made 10 appearances for Arsenal since receiving his senior debut in October 2020, scoring two goals.

The New York-born star is not cup-tied, meaning he can play for Boro in their FA Cup fourth round clash with Manchester United next month.