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Mark Travers completes loan move from Bournemouth to Boro

Mark Travers made five Premier League appearances for Bournemouth this season
Mark Travers made five Premier League appearances for Bournemouth this season

Middlesbrough have signed Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers on loan for the rest of the season.

The Republic of international Ireland has played 82 times for the Cherries and his last appearance came in the 2-2 draw at Chelsea earlier this month, with on-loan Kepa Arrizabalag now the preferred number one at the club.

Travers' arrival is a boost for sixth-placed Middlesbrough’s play-off ambitions in the Championship, with goalkeepers Sol Brynn and Seny Dieng facing extended spells on the sidelines through injury.

The 25-year-old from Kildare, who has won four Ireland caps, spent time on loan at Stoke last season when he made 14 appearances.

Bournemouth said on the club’s website: "We wish Mark all the best for the remainder of the season."

Elsewhere, Bohemians have signed England U19 international Kian Best on loan from Preston North End.

The 19-year-old left-back, who made 13 appearances in the Championship last season, is Bohs' fourth signing of the off-season, joining Colm Whelan, Neil Morahan and John Mountney, all of whom arrived on permanent deals.

"He is exactly the kind of quality that will strengthen our squad," Bohs boss Alan Reynolds said of Best. "He is a really exciting talent, he's young and is clearly hungry to push on.

Kian Best unveiled as Bohemians player

"He comes with a really good pedigree having played a significant number of games at a very high level in the English Championship with Preston."

Best said he has spoken to former Preston player Greg Cunningham and current star Robbie Brady for making the move to north Dublin.

"I know about the league, I've played with a lot of Irish players and they speak very highly of the league. I know Greg Cunningham at Galway well from his time at Preston and I spoke to Robbie Brady too, and he told me how good the standard here is and how coming here would be a really good move for me.

"I've had a really good year or so with Preston, the experience of playing for the first team at my age will really stand to me.

"I know the first game of the season at the Aviva Stadium is going to be a massive occasion for the club so I’ll be working really hard over the next few weeks because I want to be a part of that."

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