De Roon plans final push for Premier League debut

Marten de Roon is planning on hitting the gym to ensure he makes his presence felt for Middlesbrough in the Premier League.

Dutch midfielder De Roon signed from Serie A side Atalanta for £12m as Boro make their return to England’s top-flight for the first time in seven years.

Though he racked up 35 appearances among Italy’s finest last year, the 25-year-old thinks he need to do a curl or two to ensure he makes the grade physically in the North-East.

“I was happy in Italy with Atalanta but the Premier League is something you want. I like the physical contact and I need to gain some more muscle because I’m not really big in that way,” the former Heerenveen man said.

“But I think I’ll improve and I look forward to it. It’s about getting fit and being ready for the first game in the Premier League.

“It’s always different playing against an English team than Spanish because they really want to play and are smart.”

(Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Real Sociedad provided a different sort of test as Aitor Karanka’s men wrapped up their pre-season with a 0-0 draw against the Spaniards.

And if De Roon is waiting with bated breath to experience some good old-fashioned physical football, then Stoke City’s arrival to the Riverside on Saturday could provide him with the perfect acid-test.

“Stoke also have good players but it’s always different because English teams are more physical. It’s important that we play as a team like we did in the second half against Sociedad,” De Roon added.

“The Premier League is the most exciting to play in, in my opinion. I was really honoured when Middlesbrough came in for me and it was a decision I made quite quickly.”