Boro nip in to snatch Ricketts from under Spurs' nose

English Premiership side Middlesbrough snapped up Bolton's England striker Michael Ricketts for four millions pounds.

The surprise deal came just hours before the closure of the January transfer window and scuppered attempts by Tottenham Hotspur to sign the once-capped forward who had been keen to leave Bolton after falling out with manager Sam Allardyce.

Spurs had been negotiating with Bolton for the last two weeks but had appeared reluctant to meet the relegation-threatened club's asking price.

Ricketts' capture rounds off a busy week for manager Steve McClaren, who has also brought in Derby duo Malcolm Christie and Chris Riggott.

The two former England under-21 internationals will join on loan initially with the move becoming permanent for a combined transfer fee of three million pounds in the summer.

Christie, 23, is considered one of the best forwards outside the Premiership while Riggott, 22, has been one of the mainstays of the Derby defence.

Cash-strapped Derby are currently 15th in the first division and look to be out of the race for a place in the play-offs for promotion to the top flight.