The media decided that the Croatian international was coming for £63,000 a week, and no amount of denials from Bryan Robson could shake them from that belief.

For Boksic, who has had a glittering career with Marseille, Lazio, Torino and Juventus as well as his national team, this will have been a baptism of fire as to the ways of the British press.

He was strong enough to deal with that, letting his feet do the talking.

But the few years prior to his Boro move had been an injury nightmare for Boksic, and life in the Premiership was no different.

A series of niggling injuries restricted his involvement at first. But he was back to his best when grabbing two important goals over the New Year weekend.

Despite his problems, he went on to notch 12 goals in his first season at the club. Was subsequently named Player of the Year.

He was less affected by injuries in the 2001/02 season, but could only muster eight goals in a Boro side woefully short of goals.