Bamford returns to Middlesbrough in permanent switch from Chelsea
Patrick Bamford has returned to the club for which he performed with aplomb two seasons ago, agreeing to a four-and-a-half-year contract with Middlesbrough.
Earlier reports suggested that the striker's transfer from Chelsea will cost an initial £5 million, potentially rising to £10 million depending on appearances and various clauses written into the deal.
Bamford, 23, spent the 2014-15 season on loan on Teesside, scoring 17 goals in 40 appearances en route to collecting the Championship's Player of the Year award.
Absolutely over the moon to be back! Looking forward to helping this great club in every way I can. #boro #utb 😁😁😁😁😁😁
— Patrick Bamford (@Patrick_Bamford) January 18, 2017
In the interim period, Bamford has spent underwhelming loan terms at Crystal Palace, Norwich City, and Burnley in the Premier League, but looks to reignite his career back under the watch of Aitor Karanka. Bamford is Boro's second-highest goal-scorer during Karanka's tenure after Grant Leadbitter.
The last player to score more league goals in one season than Bamford was Bernie Slaven in the 1989-90 campaign.
The Nottingham Forest academy product, who follows Rudy Gestede as the club's second signing of the January transfer window, could be in line for his second Smoggies debut in Saturday's visit from West Ham United.