Ryan Shotton joins Middlesbrough from Birmingham City

Experienced defender Ryan Shotton has joined Middlesbrough from Birmingham City on a three-year contract.

Shotton, 28, has been strongly linked with a move to the Riverside Stadium since the start of the month.

Middlesbrough have now confirmed that the deal has gone through, although a confidentiality clause has prevented the club from disclosing the details of the fee paid to Birmingham for the services of the versatile defender.

Shotton, who started his professional career with Stoke City, joined Birmingham from Derby County last summer.

The player has become Middlesbrough's ninth signing of this summer's transfer window, following the likes of Britt Assombalonga, Ashley Fletcher and Darren Randolph to the club.