SENY Dieng is relishing his exciting "new start" after joining Middlesbrough from Queens Park Rangers and has a clear goal in mind: help get Boro back to the Premier League.

Dieng's seven-year stay at Loftus Road came to an end when he completed his switch to Boro at the end of last week, signing a four-year deal on Teesside.

He briefly linked up with his new teammates for the final couple of days of the Portugal training trip before joining in training at Rockliffe on Tuesday as the squad got back to work at the club's base.

Dieng came up against Boro for Rangers last season and was impressed by Carrick's side. That, twinned with hugely encouraging talks with the head coach in the summer, made a switch to Teesside a no-brainer for the 28-year-old.

READ MORE:

"When we played the second time around last season I thought they (Boro) are a very good side, they play good football," Dieng told the club website.

"I saw a lot of games after that too and I was really impressed with the way of play.

"QPR and Middlesbrough made an agreement, I spoke to the gaffer here and the goalie coach and I was excited with the way they think, their vision of football and the vision of the club. I was excited to come here.

"I've been at QPR for quite a few years, seven to be exact, this is a new start, a very good club with big ambitions. I think it's a good fit. (The aim) is definitely to get this club back in the Premier League."

Dieng could be in line to make his first Boro appearance this weekend, with Carrick's side preparing for two friendlies.

Boro face Hartlepool United on Friday night before travelling to York City on Saturday, with Carrick planning to split his first team squad to give as many players as possible game-time.