Strelec is 'the total package' for Boro

Middlesbrough's new striker David Strelec has everything it will take to succeed in the Championship, according to Slovakian football expert Lukas Vrablik.

The 24-year-old joined the Championship leaders on transfer deadline day from Slovan Bratislava for an undisclosed fee, signing a five-year contract.

"There has been a lot of talk about Strelec moving to Middlesbrough since the start of the year when they wanted him in January but the clubs didn't reach an agreement," Vrablik told BBC Radio Tees.

"He's the total package - he's a technical player with some clever movement and very good in combinations on counter-attacks."

Strelec arrives on Teesside having featured in the Champions League group stages for Slovan and also played in Italy for Spezia.

"He has what it takes to succeed - last time it didn't work out when he went abroad but he's a better player now and he's now a vital player for the international team so that proves it," added Vrablik.

"The Premier League would be a step too far for him right now but the Championship is fine for him and is a great league for a player from the Slovak league to move to.

"He's a hero of the city because Slovan Bratislava have had better results over the past few years, reaching the Champions League group phase, so he is one of the poster boys of that success as he graduated from the academy."

Strelec, who is set to feature for Slovakia in their forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Germany and Luxembourg, could make his Middlesbrough debut at Preston North End on 13 September (12:30 BST).