GIBSON DEFENDS YOUNG SALE

Young - moved for £6million.

Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson has defended the club's decision to sell Luke Young - revealing Aston Villa paid £6million for him.

Young only arrived at Boro last year in a £2.5million move from Charlton but enjoyed an excellent debut campaign at The Riverside and was many fans' pick for Player of the Year.

However just over a week before the start of the Premier League season Boro have opted to sell their first-choice right-back - a move which has been criticised by a number of fans, who have questioned the club's ambition.

But Gibson has come out quickly to assure fans Young will be replaced quickly - and revealed how much Villa had shelled out.

He told the club's official website: "The fans need to know that we will only do what's right for the football club in the short term, medium term and the long term.

"Selling a 29-year-old full-back for £6million a year after we bought him for £2.5million, and doing so in the knowledge that we will replace him, is right for the football club in the short term, medium term and the long term.

"We're already busy working on bringing in a replacement."

Boro are already being strongly linked with a move for Arsenal's Justin Hoyte, while Fulham's Moritz Volz and Steve Finnan of Liverpool have also been mentioned as possible targets for Gareth Southgate.