Brazilian blend at Boro

Middlesbrough are giving trials this week to a couple of Brazilians on the recommendation of former club legend Juninho.

Midfielders Eduardo 'Dudu' Favretto and Carlos Rodrigo Correa are on their way to Teesside and could be handed opportunities to impress in the pre-season game with Hartlepool United at Victoria Park on Tuesday.

Both players are currently seeking new clubs. Favretto, 23, has already appeared in Italy for Lucchese and mostly recently had spells with Brazilian clubs SC Gaucho and Passo Fundo. Meanwhile, Correa, 31, formerly spent six years at Dynamo Kiev.

"We've got a great relationship with Juninho, he's still very much involved with football in Brazil and still very much a friend and supporter of Middlesbrough Football Club," Boro chief executive Neil Bausor explained to the Evening Gazette.

"We spoke last year when he was over for the Eindhoven game and he said that if there were any possible signings he would keep a lookout for us over in Brazil," he added. "He's given us two names and the boys are coming over this week to allow the coaches to have a look at them and see how they might fit in."

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