Middlesbrough FC: Kieran Scott reveals potential partnership involving Juninho | OneFootball

Ex-Middlesbrough star Juninho has held talks over a potential partnership with the club's hierarchy

Middlesbrough's Head of Football Kieran Scott has revealed that former player Juninho has invited club officials to Brazil to discuss a potential recruitment link.

The 51-year-old has become the president of Brazilian club Ituano in the years since his departure from the Teesside outfit, as well as previously holding a role within the national FA.

But Juninho has remained interested in Middlesbrough since departing in 2004, even returning for a testimonial against PSV Eindhoven in 2011.

According to Teesside Live, the Championship side have been interested in expanding their recruitment in order to try and sign unknown talent from across the world.

Now it appears that a potential link could be formed with one of their former stars, who has become very knowledgeable of football in Brazil since returning to his home country at the end of his playing career.

Kieran Scott reveals Juninho recruitment discussion

Scott has revealed that discussions have been held with Juninho over potentially forming a link with Ituano.

He opened up about an invitation that’s been offered to him and chief scout Chris Jones to go to Brazil to scout out a potential partnership between the two clubs.

"To be fair, Juninho has been over here recently, and he sat down in my office with me and Chris [Jones] and invited us out there to come and meet people over there,” said Scott, via the BBC.

“He's involved in a club over there at a high level now - he's going to be taking over, I believe.

“So he's invited us to come out for that exact reason - to try and form a link and work with him."

Recruitment links between clubs across the world has become a popular strategy, with clubs in England such as Manchester City, Brighton, Chelsea and Bournemouth all taking advantage.

However, one issue that could arise between Middlesbrough and the Brazilian club is the matter of work permits.

It might prove difficult to ensure players could move over and immediately play for the club, which may lead to players signing for Boro from Ituano and then going straight on loan elsewhere if a link between the two clubs is formed.

Middlesbrough league position

Middlesbrough are fighting for promotion to the Premier League, with Michael Carrick’s side sitting ninth in the table.

A 2-1 defeat to Watford prior to the October international break has left Boro two points behind the sixth place Hornets after nine games.

Carrick will be aiming to guide the team to a top six finish after they came eighth last season.

Next up for the Teesside club will be a home game against Bristol City on 19 October.

A recruitment link with Brazil could be an interesting development for Middlesbrough

Working closely with a club like Ituano could be quite beneficial as it would give their scouts an immediate route to young talent from South America.

They could help find young talent, bring them to Ituano to develop them and then move them over to English football if they prove themselves good enough.

This has the potential to be a smart investment, with other clubs across English football making similar moves across the planet.