Hoyte Closes In On Boro Move
Arsenal have accepted Middlesbrough’s reported £3.5million offer for full-back Justin Hoyte after both clubs agreed that the fullback can talk to the north East side.
Boro are keen to get a right-back in place before the start of the season, having sold Luke Young to Aston Villa. However, with the opener against Tottenham set for this weekend, it will be race against time for the Englishman’s transfer to go through for him to be eligible to play.
Chief executive Keith Lamb said on Boro’s official website: “We have agreed a fee with Arsenal and we have now been given permission to speak to Justin, which we will be doing in the next 24 to 48 hours.”
Hoyte joined Arsenal as an 11-year-old and made his first-team debut as a substitute against Southampton in 2003.
However, he failed to establish himself as a first-choice pick for Arsene Wenger and joined Sunderland on loan for the 2005-06 season.
Hoyte then returned to the Gunners and provided injury cover the next season, becoming the first Englishman to score for Arsenal at the new Emirates Stadium against Charlton in January 2007.
Last summer Hoyte was linked with Villa, but Wenger announced he would not be sold and would compete with Bacary Sagna for the right-back spot.
Reports earlier this week suggested Middlesborough were lining up a bid for Hoyte, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admitted after the FC Twente game in his post-match interview that Boro were interested in the fullback.
Good luck to Hoytey and lets hope he can have a successful career at his new club!
Poor boy!! i like him though he could not get into the team as there are two players ahead of him..Anyway good luck gooner hoyte!! Hoyte is one of those players who dont gramble even though they are not playing….he has never said anything bad about arsenal……..Blessings
goodluck hoyte, you had a few games,a couple good games and a couple where you looked poor but so did the whole team so those games probably werent a true reflection of what you could bring to boro …if…you sign for them!
so bad to heard this news. Good luck Hoyte….Hope you will success.
Good luck to hoyte but its a move in the right direction for the club..
We just gotta get rid of a few more thats not doing a job for us.
Its a shame to see him go because of his loyalty 🙁 but good luck to him !
shame cos we need more players with hoytes attitude,who knows maybe go prove himself with boro,and return in a couple seasons,as henry once said once a gooner always a gooner,best of luck justin,hope it works out for you!
Hoyte may go, yes, but may be wenger is forgetting that after turning Eboue into a midfielder, there is certainly no close cover for the right back position at the moment. Patience in this matter, I think may be more important as getting a replacement may be a little bit strainful. Stephen O