Brazilian Soccer Schools (BSS) youngster Bruno Pilatos has been promoted to Middlesbrough's first-team squad after impressing new manager Gordon Strachan.

The England Under-17 international trained with BSS Head of Coach development Steve Nichol - who also runs the organisation's north-east centres - throughout his teens, and he quickly caught the attention of a number of professional clubs.

Middlesbrough eventually procured his talents and he has never looked back, progressing through the youth set-up and into the first-team alongside fellow youngster Luke Williams as the club looks to gain promotion back to the Premier League.

Strachan said: "Luke has revitalised some of the training sessions we've had and young Bruno has also done fantastically well.

"I like them, I like what I see. They've trained with the first team and it's not phased them and in fact it's made training even better.

"We're keeping an eye on them and I see no reason why they can't progress at the club and do well. I'd have no fears about playing them in games soon."

Head of BSS Richard Sutherland added: "Bruno is a player of great promise who has continued his progress at Middlesbrough.

"This is a major acknowledgement of his ability and if he keeps working hard he will work his way into the first-team, hopefully over the course of this season."