RILEY McGree has completed his move to Middlesbrough from MLS side Charlotte FC for an undisclosed fee.

The Australian midfielder has signed a three-and-a-half year contract at the club and becomes their fourth signing of the January transfer window.

Boro have beaten off stiff competition for McGree’s signature with Celtic tabling an offer for the Australian midfielder. However, Celtic boss Agne Postecoglou confirmed yesterday that the Scottish Premiership side had lost the race to sign him.

Earlier today, Wilder said: “We’re delighted at another young player that we’ve managed to capture on a permanent deal.

“Obviously there are certain situations that you have to deal with whether it’s in the loan market or from a permanent point of view.

“The area that I looked at was energetic, talented, enthusiastic, young players as well on permanents. We have to build our assets up.

“One of the things we looked at now is from an asset point of view, the boys that we’ve got in the building, we’ve certainly got an asset in signing Riley McGree.

“He’s just got to go through the final bits and pieces. Fingers crossed he will be involved tomorrow. We beat off strong competition.

“We’ve known about this player for a long time by the way.”

Head of Footbal Kieran Scott said: “Riley is a player who fits the mould of what we are looking for in that he is young, hungry, full of potential, and has a desire to join Middlesbrough.

“He turned down other opportunities because he wanted to join us here and be a part of what we are striving to build.”

The 23-year-old is unlikely to be in the Boro squad for tomorrow’s game against Reading at the Riverside Stadium due to registration issues.