The right-back was identified as Middlesbrough’s main objective when they began making plans for the summer transfer window. After going over their list of possible choices, Callum Brittain of Blackburn Rovers swiftly rose to the top of their desire list for a variety of reasons.

After a month-long pursuit, the 27-year-old has finally signed a four-year contract at the Riverside, becoming Boro’s third summer addition. However, the deal hasn’t been simple. Brittain, who has been hailed as one of the Championship’s top right-backs in recent years, checked several boxes.

In a positive sign for Boro, the Rovers manager has expressed his frustration and emotion at losing Brittain. The first is his ability and comfort playing as both a right-back and a right wing-back, the latter of which he played more at Barnsley before joining Rovers, but again late last season when his former Barnsley manager Valerien Ismael took over at Ewood Park.

Brittain’s qualities and adaptability made him the perfect target for Rob Edwards, the new head coach of Boro. He has played with wing-backs throughout the preseason, but he hasn’t ruled out using a flat back four occasionally. It’s been said that he will be tactically adaptable based on his possibilities and the opposition’s analysis.

“Brittain is now one of the best in his position across the league,” Elliott Jackson of the Lancashire Telegraph told Teesside Live, providing insight into the quality of Brittain. He has a lot of energy on his right side. He is a forward-thinking attacking right-back. His greatest quality and strength has always been that.

He will always pose a threat in the last third because to his superb crossing. Despite his lack of goals, he excels at creating opportunities. Brittain is a threat going forward and has an advantage over quick dribblers because of his fast pace.

Elliott does point out, though, that last season was by far his best at Ewood Park despite his injury history being patchy at times. In the Player of the Season voting, he finished in second. Additionally, there were defensive flaws at Ewood Park when he first came.

When he adjusted to playing a four-man defense, it occasionally appeared that he had played primarily as a wing-back at Barnsley. But he has improved his defensive skills, especially last season under John Eustace. He is far less likely to lose focus and allow an attacker to infiltrate him. Although he still has space for improvement in that department, he is unquestionably a more well-rounded player now than he was in prior seasons.

Since Anfernee Dijksteel left at the end of his contract, Boro prioritized bolstering their right defense this summer. Due to Luke Ayling’s form and fitness issues, he had played most of the games the previous season, and Boro knew they needed better. Working with wing-backs during the preseason, Edwards has required the speed and attack-mindedness that Brittain surely provides in the wide roles.

Right-back was their primary objective after they had already reinforced their defense with the addition of Alfie Jones and their spine with the addition of Abdoulaye Kante. They felt they needed to close a deal with Brittain, and they succeeded in doing so ahead of Saturday’s first game against Swansea City, in which Brittain is expected to make his debut.

It was the ideal time to pursue the Rovers player, as they frequently say that they must be “opportunistic” in their hiring in order to obtain the best value for their money. Even though they had to exercise patience, Boro always thought they could make the transaction because of his contract status at Ewood Park.

Elliott goes on to say: “Blackburn Rovers has long made contract renewals a major talking issue. Since Gregg Broughton left last summer, the team has ceased taking initiative. Since December 2023, only two senior players—both of whom had contracts expiring this summer—have signed new contracts.

“They are open to bids since they let Lewis Travis, Sondre Tronstad, and three of their finest players in Britain approach their final 12 months. This summer, Tyrhys Dolan has also left for nothing.

The unexpected thing is that this has now reached a peak. Rovers, who previously collaborated with Valerien Ismael at Barnsley, was optimistic that Brittain may sign a new contract this summer. But he has determined that Middlesbrough is a more suitable project for him.

That’s encouraging for Boro as well. In addition to having the option to stay and work with Ismael once again, Brittain turned down Derby County’s offers this summer. Naturally, Eustace, the former Rovers manager, is now in charge of the Rams. After speaking with Kieran Scott, Chris Jones, and Edwards—the latter of whom he mentioned in his unveiling remarks—he reportedly became convinced by Boro’s concept.

Regarding future goals, Boro still wants to return to the Premier League, despite how difficult the Championship’s financial situation is for them. Similar to Jones from Hull City, they have sought to bolster with some Championship steel and dependability in order to increase their prospects. However, if Boro upsets the odds, don’t discount Britain’s ability to manage the top flight.

“To make that step up is a difficult request for any Championship player these days,” Elliot says. He’s as excellent as anyone Middlesbrough could have found on the market right now, but I wouldn’t rule out him making the move. I’m not shocked that they’ve jumped in, since he just has a year left on his contract.

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