Middlesbrough are “on the verge” of signing St Gallen goalkeeper Dejan Stojanovic for £1m, according to the Northern Echo.

The Teessiders have moved quickly to sign a replacement for Darren Randolph who officially signed for West Ham yesterday.

Stojanovic has been scouted by Boro for a while and the former North Macedonian Under 21 international is an experienced shot-stopper, having been St Gallen’s first choice keeper for the last two and a half seasons in the Swiss top flight.

It an open question, though, whether the 26-year-old will be signed as the club’s undisputed number one. Aynsley Pears has performed well in the absence of Randolph and may well be given a fair crack of the whip by manager Jonathan Woodgate.

Stojanovic’s lack of experience in English football may also mean a bedding-in period is required, but it is probably best not to get too ahead of ourselves. Talks between Boro and St Gallen are said to be at a critical stage and the transfer is yet to be confirmed.