Town are close to completing the signing of Middlesbrough midfielder Massimo Luongo on a deal to the end of the season.

TWTD revealed in December that former loanee Luongo has been training with the Blues squad to allow manager Kieran McKenna to run the rule over the 30-year-old. The deal looks set to be completed this evening.

Luongo was with the Blues during the early stages of the 2012/13 campaign on loan from Tottenham - where he will have crossed paths with McKenna - before being sent back to White Hart Lane by Mick McCarthy soon after he took over having made eight starts and three sub appearances, scoring once.

The Sydney-born midfielder subsequently had spells on loan at Swindon before joining the Robins permanently in 2013.

After two years at the County Ground, he moved on to QPR in 2015, then four years later signed for Sheffield Wednesday.

He left the Owls last summer when he joined Boro on a short-term deal to January, however, he didn’t play a minute for the Teessiders, who are now managed by McKenna's close friend and former Manchester United colleague Michael Carrick.

Capped 43 times by Australia, scoring six times, Luongo was in the Socceroos’ squads for the 2014 and 2018 World Cups without featuring in either tournament but scored in the 2-1 Asia Cup victory over South Korea in 2015, however, hasn’t been involved with his national side since 2019.

Town have also been looking to add Peterborough’s Jack Taylor to their central midfield ranks during the January transfer window but Luongo's addition reduces the urgency to bring in cover in that area of the squad.

Photo: Action Images

boroughblue added 18:11 - Jan 5 All kicking off tonight. Ashton masterclass before Plymouth then!
2

Juggsy added 18:11 - Jan 5 Great addition. Was immense for Sheff Wed last year - if we get that version I'm more than happy.
3

jdtractor96 added 18:13 - Jan 5 Great news. A shrewd signing. Hopefully this means we can pull the plug on Taylor (to avoid being mugged off by posh again!) and put the funds towards Broadhead and/or Whittaker instead.
8

Woolfenthen added 18:13 - Jan 5 feel this is a really really good signing, think he will have a point to prove and will want to put himself in the shop window, lets hope hes ready to hit the ground running
1

Bazza8564 added 18:16 - Jan 5 Great stuff, loan in Hurst and all of a sudden all we have to pay for is Whittaker!
2

rfretwell added 18:16 - Jan 5 I thought this would happen. From his YT highlights - real aggression, good range if passing and knows where the goal is.
1

SickParrot added 18:31 - Jan 5 Why hasn't he played for Boro? Was he injured?
0

churchmans added 18:34 - Jan 5 From reading about him I feel like really! Underwhelmed! We can only sign 3 players can someone tell me why every comment above me are coming in there pants over this?? Seriously I know nothing about him! If he is that good why ain't he had a look in at Borough?? What am I missing? Hope he is good
0

BlueandTruesince82 added 18:42 - Jan 5 I think that's a good add. Esp with Ball out long term
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OwainG1992 added 18:42 - Jan 5 Churchmans. He was a stand out performer for Sheff Weds last season. Everything I've seen from Sheff fans they loved him. Which is what earned his move up to Middlesborough. I've no idea why it hasn't worked for him there. But I honestly believe he's a quality addition for a league one team. Does the ugly stuff and neat passer.
5

atty added 18:45 - Jan 5 Churchmans- like you l'm not sure about this one. If he was great at Wednesday why didn't they offer him at deal? Then again perhaps he didn't want one. Ok but what happened at Boro? Anyway, KMc has had long enough to have a look at him, so l guess we must trust his judgment.
4

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 18:49 - Jan 5 Rather suggests Peterboro have played hard ball over Taylor? But if that's the case, I'm glad we wouldn't pay over the odds.
7

planetblue_2011 added 18:50 - Jan 5 Oh yes now you're talking hoping this deal was gonna happen. Welcome back Luongo👍👍
1

IpswichT62OldBoy added 18:51 - Jan 5 He has been training with us, K McK sees something in him. I agree with OwainG
3

blues1 added 19:06 - Jan 5 Churchman. Sometimes moves just simply dont work out for players. Whether it be, dueztoca,change of manager at that club, or style of play, or simply another player stakes a claim ahead of him. Doesn't suddenly make him a bad player. Was excellent after weds. But likely wanted a new challenge or the contract offer wasnt right for him, or simply the manager wanted to freshen things up. May not even have wanted to leave weds. But if they accepted a bid for him, may have felt moving was the best thing for him.

0

Teevo2 added 19:10 - Jan 5 I've got respect for Luongo, but I'm a little concerned that he has not played at all recently. Does anyone else feel the same way? We need players who can improve us and are good to go now. I'm not sure about this one, but hope to be wrong...
0

dirtydingusmagee added 19:11 - Jan 5 obviously KM is not taking advice from the ''experts''on here who always know every player and their shortcomings on or off the pitch . LOL .Me , well i know KM is new to management but i'll be trusting his judgement .
9

Bazza8564 added 19:16 - Jan 5 Churchmans mentions we can only sign three players. Can we? I know the cap is 22 outfield over 21 i think, but dont forget any potential exits we might be contemplating. If we are going to try to get Hirst and Broadhead, one assumes Ledapo will stay, we dont need Jackson or Adheme so potentially they might move out on loan?? Im only speculating but dont assume there wont be people leaving even temporarily. We know Ball and Camara are pretty much done for the season, personally I think JJ will go back too, he wont be ready early enough. Thats three, Do we need ive CF when we play one? So two can go, theres 5. I think there will be a fair amount of juggling both ways in this window, some loans in some out, and definitely 2 maybe 3 on permanent deals. One thing I am sure about though is that MA and MK will want to go up this season so they will be investing an enormous amount in this window

5

SheptonMalletBlue added 19:25 - Jan 5 Bang on Dirty!!!👊
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Karlosfandangal added 19:27 - Jan 5 Cant see Whittaker signing for Town…….. or if he does it will be late on in Jan. Cant see him signing for Plymouth either as they have signed 3 players and I can't see them having the funds unless they sell. If the three players mentioned sign I will be happy with that, poss the Everton lad then I could see Jackson moving on.
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PimsNumber1 added 19:33 - Jan 5 He wasn't very good years ago when here and Carrick hasn't played him once and yet he and McK are colleagues, possibly mates .Curious .....maybe he's just not good enough to play anywhere but league 1
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braveblue added 19:47 - Jan 5 Thought he was quality when here. But could not kick it high enough or long enough for Mick. Always been highly rated.
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