Middlesbrough have agreed a deal to sign Valencia striker Alvaro Negredo on a season-long loan, both clubs have confirmed.
Negredo, 30, completed a permanent switch to Valencia from Manchester City last summer after spending the 2014-15 campaign on loan at the Mestalla, but he has struggled to meet expectations.
Negredo, who scored 23 goals in 48 appearances in all competitions during his spell at City, will now return to the Premier League with newly promoted Boro.
CONFIRMED | The club has agreed a deal with @valenciacf to bring @AlvaroNegredo_7 to #Boro - https://t.co/T66IUN5Hlw pic.twitter.com/ImtkbspKsb
- Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) July 20, 2016
A statement on Middlesbrough's official website read: "The club is set strengthen even further in readiness for the new premier league after agreeing a deal to sign Alvaro Negredo from Valencia CF.
"The Spanish international, a member of their successful Euro 2012 squad, is set to join on a season-long loan once all the paperwork is complete."
A statement on Valencia's website added: "Valencia CF have reached an agreement for player Alvaro Negredo to join Middlesbrough Football Club on loan through to the end of the 2016/17 season.
"The club wish Negredo the best of luck in this new phase of his career in the Premier League."
Former Almeria, Real Madrid and Sevilla striker Negredo has scored a total of 112 La Liga goals in 264 appearances.
The Northern Echo reports that the agreement involves an option to make the deal permanent for £10 million.
Middlesbrough, managed by former Real Madrid assistant coach Aitor Karanka, have made a number of additions as they prepare for their return to the top flight, including Victor Valdes, Viktor Fischer and Antonio Barragan.
Gaston Ramirez, who spent time on loan at the Riverside Stadium last season, is also set to return to the club and sources have told ESPN FC they are in talks to sign Aston Villa keeper Brad Guzan, but a deal for Borussia Dortmund centre-back Neven Subotic appears to have fallen through.