Australia international Massimo Luongo has joined Middlesbrough on a short-term deal.

The midfielder had spent a lot of the summer on trial with Reading, including as recently as a fortnight ago.

An experienced Championship performer, the 29-year-old was released by Sheffield Wednesday over the summer after three years with the Owls.

Capped 43-times for his country, he is best known for a four-year stint at Queens Park Rangers, with more than 150 appearances for the R's.

His contract with the Teessiders expires in January, giving Chris Wilder options in the middle of the pitch.

Speaking on Luongo after a 4-0 defeat to Sheffield United last week, Royals boss Paul Ince commented: "Massimo has been in training last week or so. The thing with players on frees is you don’t have to rush into decisions. He’s come in and trained well but you have to make a decision sooner rather than later, what you can’t do is keep trialists in your side. He’s one I’m looking at."