Image source: sports.yahoo.com
Middlesbrough have won the race to sign Aston Villa defender Finley Munroe for a fee of around £300,000, with the 20-year-old left-back expected to sign a long-term deal at the Riverside Stadium after being recalled from his loan spell at Swindon Town on Monday.
Middlesbrough Complete £300,000 Signing of Aston Villa Left-Back Finley Munroe
The Championship promotion hopefuls agreed the deal with Villa that also includes a large sell-on fee, beating Bristol City who had also made an offer for the defender. Munroe will become Boro’s second January signing after midfielder Leo Castledine joined from Chelsea last week, strengthening their squad for their promotion push this season.
Munroe was recalled from his loan at Swindon ahead of his expected permanent move from Villa Park, where he had made 27 appearances and scored twice for Ian Holloway’s side. Swindon currently sit second in League Two and are five points behind leaders Bromley, but the defender’s departure will not affect their promotion campaign as the recall was processed on Monday.
The left-back joined Villa after leaving Chelsea’s academy in 2021 and made two senior appearances for the club during his time at Villa Park. His debut came as a late substitute in the Europa Conference League semi-final defeat at Olympiakos, before making his Premier League bow when coming on against Crystal Palace in May 2024.
Both appearances came after Munroe signed a new contract with Villa, having spent the previous season on loan at Real Union, Villa’s sister club in Spain. The defender’s move to Middlesbrough represents his first permanent transfer since joining Villa’s academy setup three years ago, with the Championship club securing his services on a long-term basis as they target promotion to the Premier League.
