In exactly three years at the Riverside Stadium, Aitor Karanka has lifted Middlesbrough from 18th in the Championship to a cosy 15th place in the Premier League. Leeds United may have dealt out a 2-1 defeat on his managerial debut back in November 2013 but the Spaniard has been hard at work ever since, reaching the play-off final in his first full year in charge before winning promotion as divisional runners-up in 2015/16.
That tallies up a win rate just below 50 percent, which includes the two victories accrued in the top-flight this campaign, although 11 points from as many games has Boro's heads above the drop zone for now. Such a spell is even more impressive given that the Teessiders brought in the former Athletic Club defender for his first proper coaching job having been in charge of Spain's Under-16 squad before three years as Jose Mourinho's assistant at Real Madrid.
The 30 year old Spaniard has already won the Premier League title in the past with Manchester City, when he scored 23 goals in the 2013 season to help the club achieve the very much desired league title.
He moved to Valencia in 2014 and has since struggled to be as effective for the La Liga club who finished 12th in the league last year. Middlesbrough announced Negredo has joined them on a season-long loan deal.
"He is a really good player and if he recovers his best he will be a really important player for us," Karanka told the club's website (www.mfc.co.uk).
"Another reason I wanted to sign him is because he has played in this country and he knows the league.
"I'm pleased and he's pleased because he wants to play his best and he knows that England and this club is the best place to recover his self."
Middlesbrough, who were runners-up in the Championship (second tier) last season, will mark their return to England's top flight when they host Stoke City at the Riverside Stadium on Aug. 13.
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