Emnes: Ronaldo is my inspiration
Middlesbrough new boy Marvin Emnes admits that Cristiano Ronaldo is his inspiration as he prepares to launch his Premier League career. Dutch Under-21 star Emnes has joined Boro in a £3.2m move from Sparta Rotterdam.
Boro beat off Dutch giants Ajax and Feyenoord to secure Emnes, 20, on a four-year contract.
Emnes can play on either flank or up front, but he singled out Manchester United superstar Ronaldo as the player he would most like to emulate.
He said: "I like Ronaldo because of the way he plays and because he plays in the position I do. He's an explosive player. I like all the wingers who play in the same style and the way I like to play.
"This is a beautiful club and I was told that they gave opportunities to young players, so this was a chance I needed to take.''
Boro boss Gareth Southgate, who also unveiled £4m midfield capture Didier Digard, said of Emnes: "Marvin is an exciting forward who can play wide left or right or through the middle. He has explosive pace and scored eight goals in the latter period of last season.''
Like Emnes, Frenchman Digard, 22, is an Under-21 international and has signed a four-year deal. His move was held up while Boro and Paris St. Germain haggled over the fee.
Southgate said: "I think it was frustrating for Didier, but we were quite relaxed. PSG are having some difficult times at the moment, but we knew we would get there in the end.''
Digard said: "The manager's words made me want to come here. I always wanted to come to Middlesbrough.''
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