Arsenal accept bid for Hoyte

Middlesbrough have confirmed their offer for defender Justin Hoyte has been accepted by Arsenal.

Boro revealed on Tuesday they had submitted a bid for the 23-year-old right-back, who would be a replacement for new Aston Villa recruit Luke Young.

Chief executive Keith Lamb told www.mfc.co.uk: "We have agreed a fee with Arsenal and we have now been given permission to speak to Justin, which we will be doing in the next 24-48 hours."

Hoyte joined Arsenal as an 11-year-old and made his first-team debut as a substitute against Southampton in 2003.

However, he failed to establish himself as a first-choice pick for Arsene Wenger and joined Sunderland on loan for the 2005-06 season.

Hoyte then returned to the Gunners and provided injury cover the next season, becoming the first Englishman to score for Arsenal at the new Emirates Stadium against Charlton in January 2007.

Last summer Hoyte was linked with Villa but Wenger announced he would not be sold and would compete with Bacary Sagna for the right-back spot.

The defender, who has also made 18 appearances for England Under-21s, was an unused substitute in last night's Champions League qualifier against FC Twente.

Young moved to Villa Park last week, a year after joining Boro from Charlton.