Boro trial New Zealander
Boro boss Gareth Southgate has handed the Wellington Phoenix player a trial after he was tipped off by a contact.
Lochhead, who plays in the Australian A-League for Phoenix, was recommended to Southgate by Phoenix coach Ricki Herbet.
"Ricki came up to me and had a little word and said there could be something happening, so it's just progressed from there," said Lochhead.
"So I didn't really see it coming, but I'm really excited about it.
"Gareth Southgate has got a couple of young left backs in the team at the moment and he wanted someone to come in and try and push them for a place in the team, and that's something I think I could potentially do."
Lochhead, who played in the MLS with New England Revolution, will now spend ten days on Teesside in an attempt to impress Southgate.
Southgate is happy to place his trust in Phoenix coach Herbet and give Lochhead a chance.
"Ricki has an understanding of The Premier League and what is needed," Southgate told 3 News.
"We've got to know Ricki pretty well. He's been over on the pro-licence in England and he's spoken in glowing terms about Tony as somebody he thinks could make the step into The Premier League."
Should Lochhead impress Southgate he would be challenging Boro captain Emanuel Pogatetz as well as Andrew Taylor and Jonathan Grounds for a place in the team.
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