The 22-year-old has been signed initially on a one-month deal with a view to a longer loan stay.

He is set to make a debut against Preston at Hillsborough on Saturday.

Manager Brian Laws said: "Tony is a player who ticks all the right boxes. He's played in Middlesbrough's first team and is very highly valued by Gareth Southgate.

"Tony has played in Europe, he's got a great CV and I'm delighted to bring him to Sheffield Wednesday."

McMahon signed professional forms with Middlesbrough in 2003 and made his debut for the Premiership side at Manchester United. He has since featured in 25 games for Boro, including starts against Lazio and Sporting Lisbon in the UEFA Cup.

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A former England under-19 international, he also had a brief loan spell at Blackpool last season.

The signing ended a week of searching by Laws, who earlier denied reports that he wanted Jack Cork of Chelsea. Cork is a midfield player or centre half and was first linked with Wednesday before they signed midfielder Jimmy Smith on loan from Stamford Bridge this summer.

Laws had been out watching games this week, saying: "We have been identifying right backs who are available and we have been looking at their fitness levels, as anybody who goes on loan won't have been playing league matches.

"We were pleased with the attitude and contribution of our loan players last season; I believe this lad will make an impact."

McMahon comes in for Richard Hinds, who broke a leg and damaged an ankle at Wolves last Saturday.

The Owls will make fitness checks on Etienne Esajas and Marcus Tudgay ahead of the Preston game. Leon Clarke and Tommy Spurr also have knocks but should be ok, said Laws.

Deon Burton played a full game as Jamaica drew 1-1 in a World Cup qualifier against Canada in Toronto last night. The Reggae Boyz equalised through an own goal by the Canadian keeper.

Meanwhile, Geoff Sheard has made light of reports that he suffered abuse from some Wednesday fans at Molineux last Saturday. The incident is understood to have involved only a few supporters, who were urging him to complete a takeover deal. Sheard said: "I'm going to need a skin like a rhino anyway!". He declined to comment on the takeover saga.


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