Netherlands right-back Michael Reiziger has completed his move to English League Cup holders Middlesbrough, the club announced.

The defender signed a two-year contract with the option of a third year at the Riverside stadium. The defender signed a two-year contract with the option of a third year at the Riverside stadium.

The 31-year-old headed for England after the Netherlands' elimination from Euro 2004, completed his medical on Monday and he and Boro had since been working to conclude his move from Barcelona, where his contract had expired.

"I always wanted to play in the Premiership," the 69-cap defender told a press conference on Teesside.

"This year was a big change for me. Valencia were interested but Boro gave me a good feeling," the former AC Milan and Ajax player said.

"The ambition is to go and reach the highest level we can go. I will do everything to be a great help for the team.

"I think we have a good team and can do some positive things in Europe and the league.

"The challenge is to adapt very quickly. I know it is a tough league. I've shown it in Spain, which is also a very tough league and I want to show it in England. I know I am capable."

Reiziger will now have a three-week break to recover from the exertions of Euro 2004 before joining his new team-mates for pre-season training.

Middlesbrough chief executive Keith Lamb said he was confident that Reiziger's international teammate Bolo Zenden will be back at the Riverside soon after spending last season on loan from Chelsea.

He also said that a few technical problems remain in the transfer of Australia striker Mark Viduka from relegated Leeds United but that the situation should be resolved within 24 hours.

Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren's interest in Portsmouth's Nigerian striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu is still alive, although news that Reiziger's former Barca team-mate Patrick Kluivert is still looking for a move to the Premiership after apparently snubbing the Teessiders' advances seems to have created few ripples at the Riverside.

Meanwhile, Boro are confident that an administrative problem over the conversion of Gaizka Mendieta's year-long loan from Italian Cup holders Lazio into a four-year permanent deal will be ironed out soon.

"We have an agreement with Lazio that his loan will become a four-year permanent deal," said club spokesman Dave Allan. "Gaizka has signed that contract and was back with us in training Monday."