Chelsea starlet Bamford extends Middlesbrough loan spell

The 21-year-old has impressed since moving to the Riverside in the summer, scoring eight goals in 19 appearances to help fire Boro into fourth in the Championship

Middlesbrough have confirmed they have extended their loan agreement with Chelsea for striker Patrick Bamford until the end of the season.

Bamford has impressed since joining Boro on loan in the summer, scoring eight goals in 19 appearances to help Aitor Karanka's men climb into fourth in the Championship.

His initial deal was due to expire in January but Middlesbrough have moved swiftly to secure the highly-rated 21-year-old for the rest of the campaign as they chase promotion to the Premier League.

"He loves to be here, we love him here, the squad wants him here and the crowd loves him," Karanka told the club's official website when asked about Bamford.

“He's a very good player. I wanted him in the first month of when I arrived here. He’s playing as a striker, he’s supported us a lot, and he’s played for the team and thinks about his team and his team-mates. He is an important player.

"He's a young lad, he has to improve and he has to learn, but he understands the team is the main thing and he wants to be a part of it."

Bamford has already shone during loan spells with MK Dons and Derby County since signing for Chelsea from Nottingham Forest in January 2012.