Middlesbrough in £2.5million swoop to land Derby County defender Cyrus Christie
Republic of Ireland ace keen for first-team exposure as he puts one eye on next summer's World Cup finals
MIDDLESBROUGH are signing Derby County right back Cyrus Christie in a £2.5 million swooP.
New boss Garry Monk agreed the deal, complete with a sell-on clause to the Rams, after Sunderland tried to hijack the move.
Christie wants to play and was told by Gary Rowett that there were no guarantees at Derby with Andre Wisdom signed from Liverpool.
The Republic of Ireland international needs to be in action to keep his place in Martin O'Neill's squad in a World Cup year.
Monk is also pushing ahead with moves for Newcastle keeper Karl Darlow and Norwich midfielder Jonny Howson as he puts a new team together after relegation.
The former Leeds and Swansea manager told here was a real hunger and determination among the players to get the club back into the Premier League.
Said Monk: "It is a club in a really good stable condition. It is a good core that we have got here as well.
"I can see the determination amongst the players that had that experience [of relegation] last season and want to try to put that right so that is always a good sign.
"They're all fantastic lads and they've all been really receptive straight away.
"But of course like any club you have to think about what you want to do and how you want the squad to look at the end of the window and how to shape it.
"Myself and the club are working hard with that. I'm sure the squad will start to take shape. It's about looking forward, having a good pre-season and having a good start to the season."