Middlesbrough closing in on Sunderland AFC transfer for Alan Browne | OneFootball

Republic of Ireland international poised for season-long switch to the Riverside

Middlesbrough are set to complete the signing of Sunderland midfielder Alan Browne on a season-long loan, strengthening Rob Edwards’ squad ahead of the Championship’s September break.

The transfer window is due to shut at 7pm this evening, with Boro working hard to strengthen their squad for the remainder of 2025/26.

Boro turn to Alan Browne to bolster midfield ranks

According to Dominic Shaw of The Northern Echo, writing on Monday afternoon, Browne is set to become a Boro player.

The Republic of Ireland international has been made available by the Black Cats following a flurry of summer arrivals, with Boro moving swiftly to secure the experienced 30-year-old.

Browne, who joined Sunderland from Preston North End last summer, endured a stop-start debut season on Wearside due to injury but still made 22 league appearances as Regis Le Bris’ side won promotion to the Premier League.

While Le Bris valued Browne’s leadership and reliability, Sunderland’s acquisitions of Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki and Habib Diarra have pushed him down the pecking order.

With midfield competition also including Dan Neil, Chris Rigg and Enzo Lee, the Black Cats sanctioned the loan move to Teesside.

Proven Championship performer Alan Browne joins Middlesbrough FC

Browne arrives at the Riverside with a wealth of second-tier experience. Having made over 300 appearances for Preston, he became club captain in 2020 and marked his 400th outing for the Lilywhites in January this year before departing upon the expiry of his contract.

Across his decade at Deepdale, Browne established himself as a reliable midfielder, winning Preston’s Player of the Year award in 2018 and playing a central role in their push for promotion.

His switch to Sunderland last summer initially promised a fresh chapter, highlighted by a goal in a victory over Portsmouth, but an untimely injury curtailed his impact.

The loan to Middlesbrough now represents both an opportunity to rediscover rhythm and a chance to contribute to another promotion bid.

Rob Edwards shapes a promotion contender in Middlesbrough’s transfer window

The addition of Browne further bolsters a Middlesbrough side that has started the new campaign with four wins from four. Boro top the table going into the international break as the only Championship club boasting a perfect record.

Edwards has already overseen several astute signings, including Sverre Nypan, Matt Targett, Sontje Hansen, Alfie Jones and Callum Brittain, while sanctioning lucrative exits for Finn Azaz, Rav van den Berg and Josh Coburn.

The club have also confirmed Law McCabe’s loan departure to Plymouth Argyle and remain open to allowing Dan Barlaser to move on, though Browne’s arrival is not dependent on that decision.

Crucially, as exclusively revealed by Football League World, Boro are set to resist significant interest in Hayden Hackney, whose retention is viewed by many supporters as the most important piece of summer business.