MIDDLESBROUGH have swooped for goalkeeper Jordan Archer after Neil Warnock allowed former No1 Dejan Stojanovic to leave on loan.
The 27-year-old former Millwall stopper has joined until the end of the season after a spell in Scotland with Motherwell and will compete for a place with Fulham loanee Marcus Bettinelli.
Archer, who has over 250 career appearances, has played for Oxford and Fulham and helped Millwall to promotion from League One.
Boro boss Neil Warnock said: “I’ve looked at Jordan the last few years.
“Ever since he was at Millwall, he’s a player I’ve liked.
“Dejan made it clear to me that he wants to go and play to try and get in the Austria team for the Euros and reluctantly I agreed to that.
“I thought why not give Jordan the opportunity to show us what he can do over the next few months and I’m delighted to have him on board.”
Stojanovic, 27, only arrived at Boro in January when Jonathan Woodgate was still in charge.
He made his debut in a 1-0 win over Charlton in the last game before March’s lockdown.
The ace kept his spot after the campaign restarted, but he failed to convince Warnock of his capabilities, leading to the recruitment of Bettinelli last summer.
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His only appearance this term came in the Carabao Cup against Shrewsbury.
He has joined German club FC St Pauli, second from bottom of 2 Bundesliga, on loan until the end of the season.
Middlesbrough face Brentford in the FA Cup this Saturday before welcoming Birmingham to the Riverside on January 16 for a return to league action.
Archer said: “I’ve been following the Championship this season and the boys here have been doing fantastic.
“With the addition of the gaffer here it made it pretty much impossible to turn down.
“I know a few of the boys here, and all the things you hear are good. I got a phone call from the gaffer a few days ago as well which has made the transition really easy.
“I’m grateful to have played a lot of games in the Championship. Betts [Marcus Bettinelli] has been doing a fantastic job, I’ve worked with him at Fulham and he’s a great keeper.
“I can add some competition and if I do get an opportunity hopefully I can take it. I’m really looking forward to getting in amongst it.”
