Njazi Kuqi is a formidable opponent for defenders and comes from good stock; his brother Shefki already well-established in English football by the time he arrived at the Lamex Stadium in August 2010. With three goals in three appearances for the Finnish national team, Kuqi certainly came into Boro’ ranks with a healthy reputation, despite a less-than-glittering attempt at cracking English football with Birmingham City in the Premier League, Blackpool and Peterborough United.

Without a club to call his own in summer 2010, Kuqi found himself alongside his brother at Swansea City for a trial that, while not necessarily unsuccessful, failed to earn him a deal there. Graham Westley was on hand to offer the player a short-term deal as we took their inaugural steps in the Football League. Kuqi was brought in off the back of a successful appearance for Boro’ reserves and the intention is for the tall player to trouble League Two defenders and take the chances that may otherwise go begging.

Njazi Kuqi: After Boro’

His arrival certainly left the us with an embarrassment of riches in the striking department; all good for competition and our bid to establish themselves as a Football League force. The stay only lasted long enough for one substitute appearance before the Finn was off, however. He soon turned up north of the border with Dundee, before moving around the continent trying to find a club that’d give him a long-term home.