Boudewijn Zenden has joined Middlesbrough on a free transfer from Chelsea.

The 27-year-old spent last season on loan at the Riverside and becomes manager Steve McClaren's fifth signing of the summer.

Zenden, who has signed a one-year deal with Boro, was given permission to travel to Germany for a pre-season tour with his new club.

'He signed all the paperwork,' his father and agent Pierre Zenden told the Northern Echo.

'It is open to be extended. He could do it after just two months if that is what is agreed.'

The Holland international joins Dutch team-mates Michael Reiziger and Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink at Boro. Ray Parlour and Mark Viduka have also signed for Boro this summer.

Zenden was brought to Stamford Bridge in a £7.5million deal from Barcelona in 2001 and scored on his debut against Newcastle.]