Middlesbrough midfielder Barry Robson is looking forward to playing Major League Soccer after agreeing to join Vancouver Whitecaps in July.

The 33-year-old will be the Canadian’s side’s Designated Player after rejecting the chance to extend his contract with Middlesbrough. The experienced, combative central player will likely add a required amount of steel and poise to the Vancouver midfield to make them one of next years outside soccer betting tips.

“The league is rising and it’s getting better all the time,” said the former Dundee United and Celtic star. “I can see some good players coming over now, and it’s something that’s been in my mind for a while. As soon as I got the offer from Vancouver, it was a no-brainer for me.”

Robson has enjoyed a successful season with Tony Mowbray’s promotion-chasing side, having scored eight goals and added four assists in 26 Championship matches; a great return for a midfielder who has always remained a consistent threat for those looking to bet on soccer games.

Robson knows Vancouver’s assistant coach Paul Ritchie from their time at Dundee United, where they played together from 2004-06.

Head coach Martin Rennie watched the player in December, during a scouting trip in the United Kingdom, and was very impressed with Robson, saying: “From the perspective of adding someone in July, I think it’s a good thing for us. At that point, we’re going to know exactly where we see Barry fitting in, exactly what position we want him to play.”

Robson, who has 16 Scotland caps to his name, played 135 games for Inverness Caledonian Thistle before joining Dundee United and he went on to feature in 145 matches for the Terrors.

He joined Celtic in January 2008 but only started 31 league games for the Glasgow giants before moving to Middlesbrough just over two years ago. In total he has scored 16 goals in 74 league games for the Teessiders.