Middlesbrough sign Coventry City's Lukas Jutkiewicz permanently

Jutkiewicz scored against Middlesbrough in August

Middlesbrough have signed Coventry striker Lukas Jutkiewicz on a permanent basis for a fee in the region of £1.3m following an emergency loan.

The 22-year-old, who joined the Sky Blues in 2010 from Everton and scored 18 goals in 69 appearances, has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal.

Jutkiewicz made his Boro debut in Saturday's match with Burnley.

However Middlesbrough have agreed not to field the forward when the two clubs meet at the Ricoh Arena on 21 January.

Boro boss Tony Mowbray told the club website: "We've been looking for some more physicality up front. We do get enough balls into the box but with respect to Marvin Emnes and Scott McDonald they can't tower over people and head goals.

"I think this player has that first and foremost, but he also has a nice left foot, technicality, mobility and appreciation of the ball.

"He's still very young and he's got a lot to come."

The Southampton-born forward began his career at Swindon where he helped they gain promotion in 2007.

A move to the Toffees, for £1m, followed but he only made one appearance for the Merseysiders from the bench in the 3-0 win over Sunderland in December 2008.

Loans to Plymouth Argyle, Huddersfield and Motherwell preceded the move to Coventry who he joined in July 2010.

He scored nine league goals in 42 games last season and has nine from 25 this term.

Coventry's interim chief executive told the club's website: "We are continuing to work with [manager] Andy Thorn to help strengthen the squad in this transfer window."