MIDDLESBROUGH’S internal recruitment drive has continued with George McCormick signing a new long-term contract.

Following hot on the heels of the new deal for Sol Brynn that was confirmed last week, McCormick has agreed new terms with his hometown club.

The teenage full-back has signed a new deal that runs until 2027 after breaking into the first-team ranks over the summer.

McCormick was handed an opportunity to step into the first-team group when Alex Bangura suffered a serious injury during pre-season.

The 19-year-old took his chance, impressing in a number of Boro’s warm-up games, and made his competitive senior debut as a substitute in August’s Carabao Cup win at Leeds.

He made his Championship debut off the bench in this month’s win at West Brom, and with Bangura and Lukas Engel both currently unavailable, is the main cover for first-choice left-back Neto Borges.

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“It has been a really good start to the season for me personally and I’m delighted to have now signed a new deal,” said McCormick, who first joined Boro’s academy at Under-9s level. “I’ve been a season ticket holder for over ten years, so to make my debut at Leeds and then also make my first appearance in the Championship was incredible.

“There’s no better feeling and hopefully there’s more to come, but it’s up to me to kick on and make sure that happens through hard work.

“I’m well aware that I’ve done nothing really compared to most of the other players in the squad, so I’ve just got to get my head down and keep working hard.”