Middlesbrough academy chief Dave Parnaby says Josh Walker deserved his new contract, which he signed ahead of joining Aberdeen on-loan last week.

Parnaby said: "Josh has been with us since he was 10 and I'd like to think he'll be here for many more years.

"Aberdeen could well play an important part in his development and we've selected them carefully as the right club.

"Josh is a player who likes to play passing football on the ground.

"Aberdeen are a team that likes to pass the ball so Josh will have no problems adapting to their style of play.

"We're hopeful he will develop further as a player in terms of becoming stronger and a more complete player.

"We're hoping his spell in Scotland will see him flourish."