WINGER Mark Yeates has completed his move from Colchester United to Middlesbrough, for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of �500,000.

Carl Marston

WINGER Mark Yeates yesterday completed his move from Colchester United to Middlesbrough, for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of �500,000.

That figure will rise to �750,000, depending on appearances. Only Greg Halford, Lomana Lua Lua and Jamie Cureton have left the U's for bigger transfer fees.

Yeates has signed a three-year deal, having passed a medical and agreed personal terms, and so becomes 'Boro boss Gareth Southgate's first summer signing, following relegation from the Premier League in May.

The Irishman, who was a member of the U's promotion-winning squad of 2005-06, when he was on loan from Tottenham, is now focusing on another promotion bid, this time into the top flight.

“This is massive for me,” insisted Yeates, who scored 27 goals in 133 first team outings for the U's.

“There was interest from other clubs, but there was only one thing on my mind once my agent told me Middlesbrough had been in touch.

“This club belongs in the Premier League, the fans deserve to be there and I can't wait to play in front of them.”

Yeates will link up with his new team-mates when they return for pre-season training next week and begin preparations for what the Teessiders hope will be a short stay in the Coca-Cola Championship.

Yeates continued: “The gaffer (Southgate) made it very clear how much he wanted me and that was a great feeling.

“He seems absolutely spot-on. He is 110% clear about what he expects of people. He told me that he only wants players who have a hunger. He has certainly has that in me.

“I want to hit the ground running when the new season starts. It would me fantastic for me to get back into the Premier League and that's what the gaffer wants to do, that will be the aim this season.”

Yeates' move represents good business for Colchester, because he was recruited for an undisclosed six-figure fee, believed to be just �100,000, from Tottenham two years ago.