Robert Huth revealed on Sunday that he has agreed a five-year deal with Middlesbrough and the Chelsea defender expects to sign it after the World Cup finals.
Huth admitted a lack of first-team football with the English champions had been behind his decision to leave Stamford Bridge.
New Boro manager Gareth Southgate held talks with Huth and, ironically, Southgate's switch into the Boro hotseat to replace England manager-to-be Steve McClaren created a centre-half vacancy at the Riverside Stadium.
'Nothing has been signed but I think we will do it in the next few weeks,' said Huth after Germany press officer Harald Stenger had introduced him and manager Jurgen Klinsmann to the press in Berlin and revealed a deal had been agreed.
Huth, 21, continued: 'They (Boro) approached me after the season and I was very affected by the offer.
'I met with Gareth Southgate and I had an intense conversation with him. It was very interesting.
'For me the most important thing was to play. I had offers from other English clubs but they all had four or five central defenders so I decided to go to Middlesbrough where I will see enough playing time.'
