Victor Valdes says he is excited about the challenge that awaits him as he hopes to help Middlesbrough stay in the Premier League.

The goalkeeper signed a two-year deal at the Riverside last week and is keen to get his career back on track following a frustrating spell at Manchester United.

Valdes joined the Red Devils in January 2015 but failed to dislodge fellow Spaniard David de Gea and spent the second half of the 2015-16 campaign on loan at Standard Liege.

Following the end of his contract at Old Trafford he has joined Boro and he’s now expected to compete for a starting role with the likes of Dimitrios Konstantopoulos and Tomas Mejias in the upcoming campaign.

Previous to his spell at United, Valdes was first choice at Barcelona for over a decade, winning six La Liga titles and three Champions Leagues before leaving in 2014.

After suffering a serious knee injury in the months before his exit from the Nou Camp, the 34-year-old is still trying to rediscover his best form but is confident he can do it under compatriot Aitor Karanka at the Riverside.

Valdes says he is already excited about the new season and is looking forward to the challenge of keeping the Teessiders in the top flight.

“I’m feeling good and step by step, day by day,” he told the club’s official website. “I feel this is a good challenge for me in the Premier League and that’s the main reason I signed here.

“The other main reason was the manager. Now I’m looking forward to starting with the first game against Stoke.” Boro are currently 2.50 to win that match against Stoke, with the draw 3.25 and the Potters 2.70.