NETO BORGES is hoping to add his own name to Middlesbrough’s lengthy list of brilliant Brazilians after making his debut in last weekend’s 2-0 win at Cardiff City.

Borges joined Boro from French side Clermont in the final week of the transfer window, signing a three-year deal before slotting in at left-back at the Cardiff City Stadium.

The 27-year-old was born in Saubara in north-east Brazil, and played for Brazilian sides Itabaiana and Atletico Tubarao before heading to Europe in 2018.

He is the ninth Brazilian to have made a senior appearance for Middlesbrough, joining an illustrious band that features the likes of Juninho, Branco, Emerson, Doriva and Fabio Rochemback, and while he accepts he has some way to go to live up to some of his predecessors, he is determined to make his own mark on Teesside.

“I knew about Juninho and I knew about Branco, and then since I have been here, I have got to know about the other Brazilians that have played here too – Fabio, Emerson, Afonso Alves,” said Borges, who also played in Sweden, Belgium and France prior to joining Boro. “It’s nice, and I just want to be a part of it as well.

“I saw the name of Juninho on the wall in the stadium – I was looking at it and thinking, ‘Yeah, maybe one day my name can be up there like his is too’. It was nice to see his name there.”

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While Borges was aware of Middlesbrough’s heritage, having been brought up watching Premier League football, the style adopted by the current Boro side was one of the key attractions of a switch to the Riverside.

As a naturally attacking full-back, who likes to drive forward and get on the ball, Borges is looking forward to the freedom afforded by lining up under Michael Carrick.

“They have an attractive project to be in the Premier League soon, and they told me about the way they want to go there,” he said. “That met with my goals as well – a winning mentality, play on the ball.

“I like the style of play of the team. The last three experiences I had in my career were with teams that like to react to what the opponent does. I want to have an opportunity to play on the ball at some point in my career. That time is here.

“When I look at my career, I say, ‘Yeah, I’ve got to get myself an opportunity to play on the ball’, to play and show my qualities offensively. I’ve grown a lot in the defensive part of my game because when you play receiving attacks all the time, you improve that part of your game. I think I have improved my defensive part, now it is time to improve the offensive part of my game as well.”

Borges has spent the last two seasons playing with Clermont in Ligue 1, and feels his experiences in French football are an ideal grounding for life in the Championship.

“I expect a lot of physical games,” he said. “The offensive guys over here are all speed guys, really fast guys. When I played in France, every weekend I had to defend against offensive guys who were so fast.

“When I got this opportunity, I thought, ‘Yeah, maybe England is a good place because it is similar to the French league. There are a lot of physical, technical, fast games. I think I am ready for this challenge here.”