Jack Daley: Young Middlesbrough defender arrives on season-long loan

Daley, formerly played at Northern League Division 1 side Newcastle Blue Star, with his performances earning him a trial at Boro. That trial went well, with the club signing him on a two-year deal.

Daley made 14 appearances for the club's development side, including a dozen appearances in Premier League 2 competition, scoring five times.

Most recently, Daley featured for Boro in their pre-season game at Celtic, coming into the starting XI after a sickness bug ruled out several of Middlesbrough's first-team regulars. Daley took his chance with both hands, as he impressed with his overall performance.

Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg said he had no qualms about promoting Daley into his starting XI for the marquee pre-season game, and was impressed with how the youngster reacted to the short-notice opportunity.

“I felt what he has known, and how he has acted, and how he suits the way we want to play, he deserved a brilliant opportunity," he said, via TeessideLive.

"I tried to give him that chance against a good side with some very good players. I think the striker [Camilo Duran] scored five in the Champions League last season. I was impressed by him, and he has a lot of good qualities.

“He found out in training yesterday. He knew he was going to play, I had a lot of confidence in him and felt he would do good. And he did.

"It was one of the most impressive halves I've seen from a young kid. It's just a friendly game, but he did absolutely brilliant.

"He played with control, he was brave on the ball, he headed it. Bill [Luke Ayling] helped him a lot, but he did really good."

Now, the 19-year-old has headed south to join Gareth Ainsworth's side as they look to improve on last season's 17th-place finish in League Two.

With Gills centre-back Sam Gale sold to Barnsley earlier in the transfer window, Daley will be seen as a season-long replacement, with the teenage defender joining the squad to add further depth at the centre-back position.

Pending EFL clearance, Daley will go straight into Gillingham's squad for Tuesday night's away game against Chesterfield on Matchday 4.

Age: 19

Position: Centre-back

Parent club: Middlesbrough

Former club: Newcastle Blue Star

Career appearances: 15

Career minutes: 1,350

Goals: 5

Assists: 0

Yellow cards: 2

Red cards: 0

Stats from Transfermarkt