The club has completed the signing of former Huddersfield Town skipper Tommy Smith on a one-year contract.
The 30-year-old linked up with Boro during the summer to train with Chris Wilder’s squad, and he was handed his debut in the opening pre-season friendly at Bishop Auckland, where he also scored.
The Warrington-born right-back has been involved throughout pre-season and will provide increased competition down that side of the pitch.
Tommy brings a wealth of experience, having spent almost 10 years in the Manchester City youth system before joining Huddersfield Town, where he won promotion to the Premier League and was made club captain for their first appearance in the top-flight for 45 years.
Tommy clocked up 200 appearances for the Terriers before making the switch to Stoke City in the summer of 2019. He was a virtual ever present for the Potters before his contract expired earlier this summer.