Why Championship clubs should learn from Middlesbrough's transfer strategy | OneFootball

Middlesbrough's summer transfers have hit the ground running to the delight of Rob Edwards - Championship clubs should take notes.

Middlesbrough had a busy summer when it comes to signings coming in the door, and with their newcomers hitting the ground running, other Championship clubs should be taking notes from their transfer strategy.

Middlesbrough had a heavy shift in personnel this summer with many players coming and going as manager Rob Edwards looks to plan for the future and guide his side back to the Premier League after a nine-year absence.

The Teesside outfit have been winning on and off this pitch in the early stages of the season as summer signings have hit the ground running and been an instant hit with the Boro faithful by showing their worth and commitment to the Edwards project.

With the likes of Callum Brittain, Matt Targett and David Strelec now through the door just to name a few, Edwards got the reinforcements he needed to take his side to the next level and seems to have his side settled.

In terms of outgoings, the most notable being Finn Azaz making the move to Southampton, left a big void to fill.

However, with recruitment being spot on this summer by combining youth with experience, other Championship clubs could learn a thing or two from Middlesbrough.

Middlesbrough brought in 11 signings in the summer transfer window, stamping down their authority and sending a statement of intent to the rest of the Championship which has translated into high performance levels and backed up by their early league position.

Edwards, throughout his managerial career, has always had a focus on youth prospects whilst at Luton Town and has carried that through to his next destination at Middlesbrough.

The arrivals of the exciting European trio: David Strelec, Sverre Nypan and Sontje Hansen, have already been a hit with the Boro fans and have already shown glimpses of promise.

Especially Nypan, with fans calling out for their young Norwegian to be given a starting role. And as for Hansen, he was recently met by plenty of praise after his late cameo against Preston, where his 90+2 minute equaliser earned them a hard-fought point on the road.

Thanks to their success when handling the development of talented young Premier League players such as Ben Doak, Samuel Iling-Junior, Ryan Giles, Cameron Archer and Aaron Ramsey to name a few in recent years, Boro have now built themselves an excellent reputation with top-flight clubs, and undoubtedly helped them secure Nypan's signature.

Prior to the arrival of head of football Kieran Scott in September 2021, the club were seldom selling on players for a profit, but through shrewd talent identification and savvy negotiations, Boro have been able to bankroll themselves through the recent sales of Emmanuel Latte Lath, Rav van den Berg, Morgan Rogers and Finn Azaz to name a few.

As well as a reliance on the youngsters in the group to bring that creative spark, Edwards was keen to bring in a plethora of names that would stabilise his squad.

The Teessiders balanced the squad with the additions of well-experienced EFL and Premier League names including: Alfie Jones, Alan Browne, and the aforementioned Brittain and Targett.

The introduction of so many new faces perhaps raised a few question marks before a ball was kicked as to how the Boro squad would gel together, but there has been no question that Edwards has fostered a high morale within the tight-knit group on Teesside.

Rob Edwards looks to be the man to take Middlesbrough to the next level

After taking the reins in the dugout at Boro from Michael Carrick this season, there has been no messing about from Edwards, who has instantly implemented his way of thinking and style of play, which seems to be working wonders for the club so far this season.

After a 10th place finish last season, and narrowly missing out on the play-offs the year before, Middlesbrough have been ever so slightly in the background when it comes to the conversation of promotion contenders.

However, despite the 2025/26 season being very much in the early stages, the progression and improvement that the club have made under new management has been exceptional.

The togetherness and connection between the players and fans has been ever-present so far this campaign, and it's clear for all to see.

If Edwards' side are to keep producing on a consistent basis, then there is no reason why Boro can't go one step further and achieve a play-off spot, or even two steps further with promotion to the top-flight.

Should they do so, their clear, defined and successful recruitment philosophy will have inevitably played a pivotal role in that achievement.