NEW boy Mohamed Shawky today thanked fellow Egyptian Mido for helping him settle into the English way of life.

Speaking exclusively to mfc.co.uk, the 25-year-old midfielder said his close relationship with former Spurs striker Mido was making life easy for him at Rockliffe Park.

"Mido is a good friend to me, I've played with him in the national team and we've known each other since junior football," he said. "He's helping me with everything. He's also a very good player."

Shawky rates "passing and tackling" as his main strengths but fans viewing his clips on You Tube will also know he has an eye for goal and an incredibly powerful shot.

After a brief trip home to sort out personal matters he's now looking forward to showing what he can do in training and getting his first team chance.

"I'm very happy to have come to Middlesbrough," he said. "All the players here are very, very good and I've watched a lot of English football and it's very strong.

"Club football in Africa is not as strong as it is here. In England the game is very quick.

"In Egypt the weather is very hot and I know it gets cold here but that doesn't worry me.

"I hope I can play well and help the team in as many matches as I can."

*Boro's new star prefers to be known simply as "Shawky", with the first syllable pronounced to rhyme with "cow".