Stoke City have allowed Andrew Davies to go out on loan to his former club Middlesbrough for the rest of the season.
The Teesside product began his career at the Riverside Stadium before moving on to Southampton in 2008.
His stint with the Saints was a short-lived if successful affair prompting a switch to Stoke for £1m within a year.
However, his opportunities under Tony Pulis has been few and far between and he has regularly been sent out on loan enjoying spells with Preston, Sheffield United, and Walsall before his return to Middlesbrough.
Davies has been training with Tony Mowbray's squad of late after failing to win a place in City's 25-man squad for the Premier League this season, but now the two clubs have come to an agreement that will see the Potters' footing a large chunk of his wages.
The Boro boss was desperate to bring in defensive cover after seeing David Wheater leave for Bolton coupled with recent injuries to Matthew Bates and Stephen McManus.
"The centre of defence is a key area for any team and it's important to have competition for places there," Mowbray said.
"It is a chance for him to get his career back on track and it is up to him to win a place in the team."