Hasselbaink joins Middlesbrough
Friday, July 9, 2004
Article summary
Middlesbrough FC have continued their UEFA Cup preparations by signing Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
Article body
Two-year deal
The 32-year-old, who was released by Chelsea in June after agreeing to terminate his contract 12 months early, has agreed a two-year deal with the Premiership club. Middlesbrough will play in Europe for the first time in 2004/05 as English League Cup winners.
Viduka link
Capped 23 times by the Netherlands, Hasselbaink will link up with fellow new signings, striker Mark Viduka from Leeds United AFC, and defender Michael Reiziger, newly arrived from FC Barcelona.
High hopes
Hasselbaink said: "Chelsea have a lot of big names but as a squad Middlesbrough are going to upset a few people this season. With the players we have I think we can achieve quite a lot. We want to finish the season in a UEFA Cup place and as high as the [UEFA] Champions League places if possible. The club is going forward and I'm very excited to be here although Chelsea is a very special club for me and I wish them all the best. I left on good terms."
