Middlesbrough have announced on their official website that Anfernee Dijksteel has joined the club from Charlton Athletic for an undisclosed fee. The EFL Championship outfit has also confirmed that the Dutch right-back has put pen to paper on a three-year deal at the Riverside Stadium (via mfc.co.uk).
The Boro manager Jonathan Woodgate expressed his delight after signing Dijksteel and said (via mfc.co.uk), “Anfernee is another young player who fits the mould of what we want at this club. He’s the type of footballer I like. I like the way he gets forward and the way he gets back, he’s very athletic.
“I’ve watched him and I like what I’ve seen. I’ve done a lot of work on him, and he’s my number one choice.”
Dijksteel’s Incredible Season At The Valley
The Netherlands prospect graduated from the Nike Academy before he joined Charlton as a free agent back in 2016. He rose to prominence at the Valley and made a total of 59 appearances for the South-east London outfit while scoring just one goal in the process. Despite struggling to be productive in the opposition half, the 22-year-old managed to impress in defence as he helped his side claim a 3rd place finish in the League One.
Charlton had the second-best defensive record in the third tier of English football last season as they conceded just 40 goals in 46 league matches. Dijksteel’s incredible contributions helped the English outfit earn promotion back to the EFL Championship in the previous campaign.
He has also represented the Netherlands Under-20 side on one occasion but is yet to secure a senior international cap for his country.
What Will The Dutch Talent Add To Woodgate’s Team?
Dijksteel has decent pace under his belt and can be a good outlet for his team down the right flank. He is physically well-built and is not afraid to put in a tireless shift on the pitch. The Dutch sensation is also a capable defender in his own half as he can make some vital interceptions when his teammates need his help the most.
Will Dijksteel Be A Good Signing For Middlesbrough?
However, Dijksteel has only proven his worth in the League One, and so he would need time to settle into life in the EFL Championship. Middlesbrough’s new signing has the potential to become a world-class full-back someday, so Woodgate needs to be patient with him.
Dijksteel could prove to be a smart signing for the Boro in the long-run as they try to bounce back to the Premier League at the end of this campaign.
