With Italian star Maccarone also on board, are things looking bright for Boro?

Juninho is the second international to sign for Boro in a day, Italy's Massimo Maccarone having already agreed an �8.15m move from Empoli.

The 27-year-old Brazilian made a major impact at the club after arriving in a �4.75m move from Sao Paolo in November 1995.

He moved to Atletico in a �12m deal two years later after Middlesbrough were relegated, but returned on loan in September 1999.

Juninho, who came on as a substitute in Brazil's 2-0 win against Germany in the World Cup Final, had been on loan at Flamengo from Atletico Madrid.

Is there a bright season ahead for Boro? Or is it another false dawn?

This debate is now closed. A selection of your e-mails appear below.

Most people are failing to see that the biggest difference with these two signings is not so much about what these players can do themselves but what the manager plans to do with them. Juninho's game under Steve McClaren as opposed to Bryan Robson will be the main point of interest this time around.
Andrew Li, France

Maccarone and possibly Juninho are very astute signings and as a Spurs fan I'm furious we didn't snap them up. Maccarone will score goals and head back to one of Serie A' top clubs inside three years, probably for two or three times what Boro have paid. Clever business, utmost respect to Steve McClaren.
Steven Davies, Wales

Juninho will definitely add a little samba to the team.
Ayien, Malaysia

I can still remember the last time Boro made supposedly 'great signings'. Ravanelli, Emerson and the God that is Juninho. I can also remember Boro getting relegated that year as well.

Making big signings will do nothing for our top six challenge. We need to build up a decent team. How we are expected to qualify for Europe with ageing players like Alen Boksic? If Middlesbrough truly believe that they can qualify for Europe then we need to make more 'big' signings than just these two. I await this season with great anticipation and hope for some long deserved success.
Rehash, England

Ideas above our station - how very Victorian! If no one in Newcastle had ideas above their station they'd still be living in Tyneside flats with no running water. Shouldn't everyone have an ambition to better themselves? This is the 21st century after all. If John Hall hadn't had any ambition St James would be a hole and Newcastle would be in the First Division, at best. Well done Mr Gibson for giving us something to be proud of - I can't wait to see Juninho again.
Janet Haigh, England

I am really pleased at the news that the little fella is coming back to the Boro. He is the best player I have seen in a Boro shirt. All the sour grapes from the skunks make for good reading; it shows that they are worried already. Roll on Europe.
Alan Martin, UK

Juninho & Maccarone will be a sensation. For those doubters who draw parallels to the last time Juninho played alongside an Italian defender, don't forget Boro now have Ehiogu and Southgate in central defence. A weak defence was the only reason we went down last time.
Andrew Walker, England

This is great news, though Boro have never lacked ambition. At present Boro will struggle due to the loss of Ince and Mustoe. But don't kid yourself - McClaren knows what he is doing.

Let everybody write us off again - we don't care. We won't be conceeding much and with Boksic, Maccarone and Juninho we'll score a few. And as for getting a whipping at St James' Park "again", does nobody remember a certain Boksic double not so long ago? COME ON THE BORO!
Dave, England

Maccarone is quite nice depending on what sauce you use.
Matt, UK

Juninho is welcome back at Boro. To be quite honest, I would have been happy to see his delightful football again at any club in England. To have him back at Boro is great and will hopefully boost a young and talented squad. Good luck to him.
David Keen, England

Isn't it great! I am just so happy to be part of the Riverside Revolution. Boro are my outsiders for a Champions League spot this coming season. The Little Fella is magic, Maccarone is red hot and will set the Boro alight!

With Mac the Knife doing his stuff we are gonna be a force to be reckoned with. Ju-ne-ne-oh-oh-oh! Wahey, GET IN THERE, UP THA BORO!
Ugo Eckyog, BORO, UK

Mr Pritchard's comments (below) made me chuckle. As with all Geordies he is jealous that another north east club has briefly stolen the limelight. Also, he seems to have forgotten that Boro beat Newcastle at St James' the season before last and that ten years ago Newcastle were one of the worst teams in English football.

Let's just see how Boro, with Juninho & Maccarone, fair against the Geordies this season, shall we?
Joss, London, England

Anyone can support Man Utd, Liverpool, Arsenal etc but true fans support their home town team. I have total respect for supporters of Torquay, Carlisle and Southend. They have no real stars and success for them is probably just staying afloat.

Don't knock Middlesbrough for showing ambition and for trying to please their supporters. Whether Boro win anything or not I am sure Juninho and Maccarone will give the supporters many great moments.
Buster Johnstone, England

It is a dream come true that our hero is coming back to Riverside again. Juninho is a prime example to his fellow football professionals with his passion for football and his football club. If McClaren can sign one more class defensive midfielder then our Euro dream may come true.
Kelvin, Hong Kong

The snipers are out early this year! Come on gentlemen; give Boro the credit they deserve. The manager has made two excellent signings with perhaps more to come, so well done the Boro and good luck for the new season.
Mike Sexton, UK

It never fails to amaze to me the amount of morons and football dunces that seek to impart their ignorance on us all (Matt P and Andy S). Steve McClaren is seeking to build a team for the future, not to win the Premiership.

He's looking to take the club forward, and with his sound tactics - which are unquestionable given his time at Man Utd - he will get it right. We have signed two quality players, and this is what McClaren will be looking to build on.
Mark Headley, UK

It's all fair and well for Geordies and the like to say we're the runt of the litter, but if we can't dream that we will be a great team, what's the point of turning up?

I think they are two great signings, and hopefully with another one or two, we will have a competitive season and a decent finish. Just look at Newcastle - the perfect example of an average side achieving something way above what they should. Champions League here we come!
Phil Eldredge, London, England

I'm reading a lot of jealous comments from rival fans in this column. What's true is that the Boro are once again re-united with the little fella and with Maccarone and the other quality signings that Mac the Knife has promised, the Boro will be a force to be reckoned with! Up tha Boro!
Simon Tinker, Boro, England

Sorry, but Juninho is not a god. He is a good player, but nothing special. Only a good pro. I can't remember a single brilliant piece of play from him in this World Cup. Don't think that because he is a world champion he is the best. He is good, but not that good.
Paulo Silva, USA/Brasil

I'm pleased not just for Middlesbrough supporters but for supporters of English football everywhere. The domestic league can only benefit from a) top class players b) clubs like Middlesbrough with a little bit of imagination and invention in their signings.

Who wants to see the annual Arsenal v Manchester United Championship race? Middlesbrough's existence, and indeed prosperity, in the top flight is crucial. It bucks the trend and shows all clubs with aspirations that it can be done with the right investment. All power to Steve Gibson's elbow and good luck to the boys from the North East.
Paul Reaney, UK

Some people writing in this column have a serious lack of vision. Don't knock the little fella. He has one more World Cup medal than any current English player.

Mr Maccarone will move on in due course - I expect for around �15m. But let's have some fun in the meantime. We at the Boro may be destined to never win a thing but it will not stop us trying.

We do have ideas that might appear to be above our station in many peoples' eyes. That's called ambition and MR Gibson and McClaren seem to have it in abundance, thankfully. Show me a club more determined! Endeavor!
Mike, The Boro, UK

This is a new dawn with the McClaren era. He understands the mistakes made in the Robson years and has put the club in a solid position. Though this task of building the side will be tough, my belief in McClaren is strong.

These two signings are huge for Middlesbrough football club.
Paul Brown, England

Maccarone is an excellent striker when he plays for the Italian U-21 side. If he can get enough support from midfield, he will definitely score many goals in the Premiership.
Steven, China

We need a holding midfielder. If we can sign a class one, dont expect to see Boro out of the top ten, as we don't concede goals. Granted, we don't score many, but I'm hoping Juninho and Massimo will help!
John Conway, England

I hope this time the combination is right with the return of true quality players and a tactically capable manager. Middlesbrough might just be able to pull off a European spot this season which is the break through needed to make them a more established and popular club nationally and worldwide.
Phil Cunningham, Vietnam

The little fella coming back is the best football news I have heard in a long while - although I am in Trinidad for two years I have re-applied for my season ticket even if the only game I am likely to see is the home game against Man Utd at Christmas.

Too true the Boro has a bright future but patience is a virtue and Steve McLaren seems to have plenty.
Colin Lynas, Trinidad

It will take more than a Juninho and an Italian striker to improve Boro. Boro have always had a mis-match team. Boksic playing with Dean Windass! Juninho with Phil Stamp!

Boro need a lot more than two players. I do not think they can expect more than mid-table.
Nick Bradley, UK

I feel that Boro have taken a huge gamble which could seriously backfire. My prediction is a bottom three dogfight. Juniniho didn't save them last time.
Charles Hearsum, Czech Republic

Bright future or false dawn? I think it is definitely a bright future. McClaren knows what he is doing and given a few seasons in charge will see that Boro are an established top 10 side, pushing for that elusive first cup win and European place we want so much.
Marcus Hibell, Switzerland

This will make Boro competitive but Premiership defenders in 2002/2003 are not the same kind of defenders that Juninho played against in 1997. Premiership defenders have shown that the best strikers in the world do struggle against them, but all the best to Boro. They deserve to win something.
Patrick, Texas, USA

Is there a club in the Premier League with ideas above their station more than Middlesbrough? They've won nothing in their lives, are never likely to and should be happy just to make up the numbers.

The limit of their aspirations should be to avoid relegation and have the odd decent cup run. Yet, they seem to think they have some kind of divine right to a top six place. Juninho couldn't save them from relegation last time and won't this time. They'll be scrapping with Sunderland for the last relegation spot (WBA and Blues will get the other two)
Andy Shanks, Hgte, UK

Top flight football has come on a great deal in the North East, yet Boro have always been the runt of the litter with a history of disastrous signings. Last time they signed Juninho and a top Italian striker they were relegated within the year.

I don't think it will be long before Maccarone gets fed up with cold and wet mid-week Worthington Cup games against the likes of Tranmere and realises that he made a big mistake.

I am sure he will score the odd wonder goal and win a game here and there but will he really have the kind of work ethic that is required to please the fans and produce success? I doubt it. I will be looking forward to their visit to St James' Park where we will, as usual, give them a good beating.
Matthew Pritchard, England