Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka has expressed his delight in being able to sign former teammate Fernando Amorebieta on loan.

The Venezuelan international joined Boro earlier today as part of a swap deal with Fulham that saw James Husband move the other way.

When asked about his latest signing, Karanka told the Boro website: "He played with me in Bilbao, we were teammates, and his career has been brilliant.

"This season has been difficult for him because he got injured at the Riverside for Fulham and after that it took time for him to play again, but as a player he is a very good player."

Amorebieta, 30, joined Fulham from Athletic Bilbao in the summer of 2013 and has scored two goals in two seasons since then.