Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli has signed for Middlesbrough this afternoon on a season-long loan.

The former England under-21 international was likely to be second choice behind Marek Rodak at Craven Cottage this season and his chances of first-team football decreased further when the Whites bought in Alphonse Areola on loan from Paris Saint-Germain yesterday.

Bettinelli, now 28, has made 120 senior appearances for Fulham since turning professional in 2010. He was part of two successful promotion-winning sides from the Championship but lost his place to Rodak after a run of iffy displays in the Fulham goal last autumn.

Boro boss Neil Warnock said the opportunity to sign Bettinelli was too good for him to pass up:

I’m really pleased. I’ve been tracking Marcus since he first got into the team at Fulham a good few years ago and when the opportunity arose to bring him here, I was quick to the call. He’s a good lad, he’ll fit in well and speaking to him, I’ve been really impressed by his attitude and his desire to play for us.