Kieran Scott hints at future Middlesbrough, Ipswich Town transfer | OneFootball

Kieran Scott has hinted towards a long-term deal for George Edmundson, who joined Middlesbrough on loan from Ipswich Town on deadline day

Middlesbrough head of football has hinted towards a long-term stay at the Riverside Stadium for George Edmundson, who moved on loan from Ipswich Town on transfer deadline day.

The central defender made 10 Championship appearances for the Tractor Boys as they gained a stunning promotion to the Premier League in the previous season, although Kieran McKenna made him available for loan this summer.

Ipswich are now rather well-staffed in central defence, having signed Dara O'Shea and Jacob Greaves from Burnley and Hull City respectively. According to reports, Portsmouth, Blackburn Rovers and Hull themselves were all linked with a late move for Edmundson, although he elected to head up to Teesside instead, with Boro capturing his services on loan for the season.

Edmundson has entered the final twelve months of his current deal at Portman Road, where his future very much appears up in the air. Indeed, Scott handed the ex-Rangers and Derby County man the opportunity to earn a long-term deal with the club at the end of the season, revealing Boro's long-term vision for the acquisition.

The 27-year-old was one of two signings completed by Michael Carrick's side on the final day of the window, with exciting winger Ben Doak also joining on loan from Liverpool.

Kieran Scott offers long-term verdict on Middlesbrough's George Edmundson

Middlesbrough were keen to bolster their defensive options for the season, and both Darragh Lenihan and Dael Fry currently remain sidelined. Rav van den Berg, meanwhile, has missed Boro's last three games and right-back Ayling was forced to deputise centrally in their 2-0 win at Cardiff City before the international break.

Scott alluded to Boro's defensive headache when issuing his verdict on the signing of Edmundson, which he believes could prove a long-term acquisition by the club.

After speaking on the aforementioned Doak, Scott said via The Northern Echo: "But George as well, coming in to help us at the minute navigate a centre-back issue.

"But we see a future in George as well. We think he's someone who can be a future asset. We're in a good position on that loan. We'll see how he settles down. I'm sure he'll be playing soon."

Scott is also quoted as saying that the signings of Edmundson and Doak are "both as important as eachother", which will surely excite the Riverside faithful given how much excitement and promise surrounds the latter.

Middlesbrough's start to the 2024/25 Championship season

After missing out on a top-six finish by just four points last season, Middlesbrough have been poised to launch a fresh promotion bid this term and the early indications are that they are more than capable of doing so.

They edged out Swansea City on the opening day before enjoying a 3-0 triumph away to Leeds United in the Carabao Cup first round, which has since been overshadowed by their shock 5-0 exit at the hands of Stoke City on home soil.

Nonetheless, Boro will consider themselves unfortunate to have been defeated on their first league trip of the season at Derby County, where they lost 1-0 despite completely dominating the match.

That was followed up with a 2-2 draw against Portsmouth, but Boro headed into the international break in winning ways after claiming a 2-0 victory over Cardiff. Their latest win has lifted them up to seventh-place and outside the top-six purely on goal difference.

It may not be worth analysing the league table just yet as it is, of course, subject to significant change at such an early stage of the campaign. However, Boro look every bit capable of being in the reckoning for a top-six finish this term, and they will be hoping that Edmundson, alongside the club's other recruits in the summer, can be vital towards that.