Patrick Bamford has joined Middlesbrough on a permanent transfer from Chelsea.

The former Norwich City loanee has moved to Teeside for an undisclosed fee, thought to be £6million, signing a four-and-a-half-year deal, Boro have announced.

The striker, who scored 19 goals on loan at Boro in 2014-15, was earlier this month recalled by Chelsea from a loan spell at Burnley, for whom he made six appearances.

'Middlesbrough have secured the signing of striker Patrick Bamford from Chelsea for an undisclosed fee,' Boro confirmed on their official website.

The 23-year-old did not make a first-team appearance for Chelsea, who he joined from Nottingham Forest in January 2012.

The England age-group international had three loan spells at MK Dons, one at Derby and at Boro in the Championship, helping them to the play-off final, where they lost to Norwich. He was player of the year in the Championship that season.

Last term he had unsuccessful Premier League stints with Crystal Palace and Norwich, before beginning this season at Burnley, before the recall paved the way for the move to Boro.

Bamford is Boro boss Aitor Karanka's second signing of the winter transfer window, after Rudy Gestede switched from Aston Villa.

'I saw the tweets from Boro fans saying they wanted me back and that was massive,' Bamford said, via his new club's Facebook page.

'It was really important and when I knew my loan spell was coming to an end at Burnley it was crucial my next place was somewhere I felt comfortable. There was only one place I wanted to go. I'm really glad it's happened.

'I wish my Premier League chance with Boro had happened 18 months ago. In hindsight, I can say I've made the wrong decisions (since), but at the time I wanted to test myself and push myself. Now I'm delighted to be back in the Premier League with Boro.

'I put it out there in one of my goodbye tweets that you don't know what the future will hold, and this club holds a big place in my heart. I wanted to come back and I can't stop smiling – I'm so happy.

'I have a point to prove to the Boro fans and everyone at the club. I owe a lot to the chairman Mr Gibson, to the manager and the fans as they stood by me when the times were tough and have given me a second chance.'