AITOR KARANKA completed his first signing of the summer last night, but the wait goes on to hear if Middlesbrough old boy Stewart Downing will be the next to arrive at the Riverside Stadium.

Downing is waiting for the go-ahead from West Ham to head back to his native North-East to discuss the finer details of a reputed £5m switch to the Championship.

But Middlesbrough have persuaded Alex Baptiste to commit his future to the promotion hopefuls. The versatile defender has signed a three-year deal and he spent yesterday at the club’s Rockliffe Park training base as Karanka put the squad through a first day of pre-season training.

Middlesbrough moved for the player last week after learning he could be released from his Bolton contract, which had 12 months remaining on the deal. Neil Lennon, the Trotters boss, was happy for one of the team’s highest earners to move on and free up wages to bring younger players in.

The 29-year-old has been on the club’s radar for a number of years, dating back to when Tony Mowbray was in charge.

Middlesbrough have moved quickly to land their man this time around, with reinforcements required in defence following the departures of Kenneth Omeruo, Fernando Amorebieta, Ryan Fredericks and Seb Hines.

Jonathan Woodgate is also still to put pen to paper on a new deal and the likelihood is that Karanka will look to offer him a place within the backroom team in some capacity if he decides to officially retire.

Baptiste is capable of playing anywhere across the back four. Boro, who fly out to Spain for a pre-season training camp in Marbella next Monday, are still looking for another right-back, although they do have Damia Abella working his way back to fitness. The Spaniard has not played since suffering a horrific knee injury back in September.

But recruitment plans will not stop there because Karanka has instructed the club’s negotiators – Steve Gibson, Peter Kenyon and Neil Bausor – to find two strikers and at least one more midfielder.

Downing fits into the latter category. It is hoped West Ham will accept the proposal from Middlesbrough, rather than have an unsettled player on their books who is willing to drop down to the Championship rather than play for a Premier League rival next season. 

West Ham, though, are keen to line up a replacement before giving the green light.

Sunderland, who have already offered £6m, remain interested in the 30-year-old at this stage and are waiting in the wings should the saga turn in their favour.

Boro's strong links with Chelsea will mean new arrivals from Stamford Bridge next season, most probably on loan. Nathaniel Chalobah, who had a stint on loan 18 months ago, has been touted as a contender along with Nathan Ake.