Alan Browne’s ‘relief’ after completing Middlesbrough loan move from Sunderland

Alan Browne’s ‘relief’ after completing Middlesbrough loan move from Sunderland.

Alan Browne detailed his relief at making a transfer deadline day switch to Middlesbrough from neighbours Sunderland, as he targets game-time and promotion on Teesside.

The midfielder joined Boro on loan from Sunderland, 12 months after moving to Wearside on a free when ending his ten-year association with Preston North End. Boro made the move after allowing Law McCabe and Dan Barlaser to leave on loan, with the 30-year-old adding significant Championship experience to Rob Edwards’ midfield.

Browne made 23 appearances for Sunderland last season as he played his part on and off the pitch in an otherwise young squad in helping them win promotion via the play-offs. Having been frozen out thanks to an influx of new arrivals this summer, however, the Ireland international is keen to get his career going again.

“It’s probably relief more than anything,” Browne said of his move in his first club interview. “I’m delighted to finally get it over the line. There were several offers but for obvious reasons, this one felt like the right move. It’s close to home where I am now, and I have a young family, so that’s always going to make the move easier.

While not playing regularly for Sunderland last season and therefore targeting that at Boro, it makes his time with Preston feel all the more special. He played 30-plus league games in all but his very first year as a Lilywhite, and will hope to emulate that at the Riverside, starting at Deepdale.

“My experience at Preston was brilliant,” he said. “I went from a boy to a man basically at that club. It was life-changing for me at the time and I grew as a person and a player throughout my years there. I gained loads of different experiences while there which hopefully I can bring with me to this club.