Victor Valdes explains why he decided to sign for Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough's most recent signing, Spanish goalkeeper Victor Valdes, said on Monday that playing in the Premier League "is a good challenge for me and that’s the main reason I signed."
Valdes, 34, has signed a two-year deal with Aitor Karanka's side and joins the newly promoted Premier League side after six months on loan at Belgium's Standard Liege.
"I’m feeling good and step by step, day by day. I feel this is a good challenge for me in the Premier League and that’s the main reason I signed here," he told Boro's official website.
“The other main reason was the manager. Now I’m looking forward to starting with the first game against Stoke.”
The former Barcelona keeper is the club's fifth signing of the summer, joining Viktor Fischer (Ajax), Colombian Bernardo Espinosa (Sporting Gijon), Marten de Roon (Atalanta) and Jordan McGhee (Hearts) at the club.
He added: “The first thing I’ve seen is it’s a big group of good guys. The manager and my team-mates have made it easy for me because he speaks Spanish.
“When you have a good atmosphere around you for the first days it’s easier to feel comfortable on the pitch.
The Catalan will compete for a starting spot with Dimitrios Konstantopoulos, who has worn the gloves in recent seasons, the Spaniard Tomas Mejias, who has played in cup games, and youngster Connor Ripley.
