The popular Italian will join up with former Boro star Paul Merson. Festa was unsettled last season and was unable to break up the Southgate - Ehiogu partnership. Boro though will still pay part of Festa's wage as Portsmouth could not afford to.
Harry Redknapp, "The deal's just been sorted with Festa and he's going to be with us for the rest of the season. We'll only pick up part of his wages. Middlesbrough are helping out with the rest. That's the way it's working these days."
In other news, the club today denied reports that Dean Windass can leave the club on a free transfer, while Mark Summerbell joined Carlisle on a free transfer.