Middlesbrough sign West Ham United goalkeeper Darren Randolph in £5m deal

Darren Randolph of West Ham United during the pre season friendly match between Charlton Athletic and West Ham United at the Valley on July 25, 2015 in London, England.
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Middlesbrough announce the signing of West Ham United and Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Darren Randolph for a fee of £5m on a four-year contract.

Middlesbrough have announced the signing of West Ham United goalkeeper Darren Randolph on a four-year contract.

The 30-year-old, who joined the Hammers from Birmingham City in 2015, made 22 appearances in the Premier League last season.

However, the arrival of Joe Hart on loan from Manchester City led to suggestions that the Republic of Ireland international would move on this summer.

The move has now been confirmed by both clubs, as the player switches to the Riverside Stadium for a fee of £5m.

Randolph told the official Boro website: "I'm delighted to get it all signed and completed. Arriving here and see the facilities, it's definitely a Premier League club. I want to come here and get the club back to where it belongs and be part of something special."

Former manager Slaven Bilic, meanwhile, told the Hammers website: "I would like to thank Darren for his service to the club over the past two years. He has been a fantastic professional and, as a player and a person, has the respect of everyone at West Ham.

"Darren is a very good goalkeeper, and I didn't want him to leave. However, I could not guarantee him regular first team football and, with the possibility of playing at the World Cup for the Republic of Ireland next summer, he wanted to take up the offer from Middlesbrough.

"We didn't think it was right to deny him this opportunity to establish himself as a number one playing every week in the Championship, but I am sorry to see him go and I wish him all the very best in the future."

Randolph is Boro's sixth summer signing, following the acquisitions of Jonny Howson, Cyrus Christie, Martin Braithwaite, Connor Roberts and Britt Assombalonga.

Britt Assombalonga of Nottingham Forest celebrates after scoring the first goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Nottingham Forest and Fulham at the City Ground on September 17, 2014
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