NEW Middlesbrough defender Andre Bikey has revealed his relief at finally securing a one-year-deal at the Riverside.

Bikey put pen-to-paper on the contract, which has an extra year’s option, yesterday afternoon.

It comes after an uncertain few months for the Cameroon international, a free agent since his contract expired at Burnley in July.

The 27-year-old has been on Tony Mowbray’s radar over the summer and has trained with the squad for the last few weeks, but a deal wasn’t finalised until yesterday.

It is thought the long-term injury suffered by Rhys Williams convinced Mowbray to offer the centre-back a contract.

“I want to get back playing football, express myself and help the team get results and be where they deserve to be,”

Bikey said.

“The last few months haven’t been great. I’m a footballer and the main thing in my life has been trying to find somewhere to play and enjoy it.

“It wasn’t hard, I knew something would happen and the main thing is it’s done now.”

With Williams out for the foreseeable future with ankle ligament damage, Bikey could be drafted into Mowbray’s side once he is up to speed fitness-wise.

And having spent six years playing in the Championship, the 27-year-old believes he can help Boro go far this season.

He said: “It will take a little while to get match fitness.

I have been training here, but it’s not the same thing.

“I think I’m quite happy with my fitness and the only thing I need now is minutes.

“Hopefully I can get up to speed in five days or a week and be ready to help the team.

“I know this division well and hopefully I can use that to help the team.

“It’s going to be hard, it’s a tough league, but it’s a good squad here, that’s why I signed.”