Middlesbrough considering signing Uruguayan starlet Maximiliano Villa after 10-day trial

Middlesbrough will consider signing Uruguayan starlet Maximiliano Villa after the completion of a 10-day trial, according to IBTimes UK sources. The right-back is due to remain in the north east until 27 January, at which time Boro may attempt to add the Club Nacional youngster to their Under-23 squad.

The 19-year-old has come through the ranks at the Gran Parque Central club and after making an instant impression with the Premier League club is hoping of securing a permanent move to England.

Aitor Karanka is eager to strengthen the club's academy resources and are planning to make a string of quality additions. They have already added Finnish winger Mikael Soisalo and Argentine defender Pedro Silva Torrejon and are considering the option of making an approach for Villa before the end of the January transfer window.

Nacional's former boss Gustavo Munua first invited Villa to train with the first team despite him having not made a senior appearance for the Uruguayan side.

Villa, who holds an Italian passport, is one of a series of emerging prospects in Uruguay. He is regarded as highly physical and quick with the ball, while he also has an eye for goal; attributes which make him one of the best up and coming full-backs from South America.

The teenager can also operate in central defensive midfield, though he prefers a role in the back four. He has emerged from the same academy that developed the likes of Barcelona star Luis Suarez, former Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates, PSV Eindhoven forward Gaston Pereiro and Atletico Madrid's January addition Juan Manuel Sanabria.

Villa was in attendance at the Riverside Stadium during Middlesbrough's defeat to West Ham United on 21 January.