Gareth Southgate, the Middlesbrough manager, has completed a £3.2 million deal for Marvin Emnes, the Sparta Rotterdam midfielder. The 20-year-old has signed a four-year contract on Teeside.

"We feel we have signed an exciting young player in Marvin," Southgate said. "Last season was his breakthrough year at Sparta Rotterdam and he ended the campaign with a flurry, scoring eight goals in his final ten games.

"He can play anywhere across the front line, so he has versatility to go with pace, energy and technical skills.

"Marvin is very enthusiastic about coming to England and the challenge of Premier League football. He also fits the profile of the sort of players we want at Middlesbrough in that he is a young player with hunger, energy and pace."

Fabio Rochemback's departure, along with that of Gaizka Mendieta, has depleted the club's midfield resources, and with uncertainty persisting over the futures of George Boateng and Gary O'Neil, the manager has drawn up a list of targets.

Paris St German's Didier Digard and Reading's James Harper remain in his sights, although the Frenchman has been suspended by his club over comments he made about the delay in his proposed move to Middlesbrough.

However, Southgate was delighted to have made a breakthrough with Emnes after weeks of work behind the scenes. "There was a lot of interest in Marvin and I know that Ajax and Feyenoord were keen," he said. "But we got ahead of both to complete the signing of a player who I hope can excite our fans."

Rotterdam-born Emnes, a Holland Under-21 international, could join up with his new team-mates when they return for pre-season training next week.