Matt Crooks reveals what Dan Barlaser can offer to Middlesbrough after Rotherham switch | OneFootball

Middlesbrough midfielder Matt Crooks was delighted to see the club complete the signing of his former team-mate Dan Barlaser from Rotherham United in January.

Barlaser arrived at the Riverside Stadium on a three-and-a-half year deal last month following an impressive season with the Millers, scoring two goals and providing seven assists in 28 league games.

The midfielder returns to his native North East after a successful spell at the New York Stadium after initially arriving on loan from Newcastle United in July 2019, before making the move permanent the following October.

He helped the Millers to two promotions from League One during his time in South Yorkshire and spent the first two years of his time at the club playing with Crooks, who departed for the Riverside Stadium last summer.

Now the pair will be reunited on Teesside and Crooks says he will help Barlaser to settle in, while also offering an insight into what he will bring to Michael Carrick’s side.

“It always makes it easier when you have someone you know in the dressing room, so I’m happy to help Dan settle. I know when I first came it was Wingy (Lewis Wing) for me and it does make it easier, especially on that first day, to just settle in,” Crooks told Teesside Live.

“Of course, I had the squabble with a few of the lads the last time I played against Boro before joining, so I had a bit of apologising to do on my first day! Even the gaffer at the time Neil Warnock, I was screaming at him at half-time! But yeah, having Wingy there helped me initially.

“Dan is a great lad, and a really good player as well, so he’ll fit in seamlessly with all the lads. I’m sure when he gets his time on the pitch, he’ll show what he can do.

“He’s a very good player. He’s very technical and he’s got a great range of passing. He can take a brilliant set piece as well. He’s just a very good player with a real eye for a pass. So I’m sure he’ll help us in trying to move in the right direction.”

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The verdict

Barlaser is an excellent signing for Middlesbrough.

He has proven himself to be a more than capable performer at Championship level for the Millers this season and as Crooks points out, he has a number of qualities that will make him a huge asset to Boro.

Barlaser is likely to be seen as a long-term replacement for Jonny Howson and he could form an exciting partnership with Hayden Hackney, while he will no doubt improve under the guidance of Carrick, a midfielder who spent much of his career at the highest level in his playing days.

Crooks’ comments are a significant endorsement of Barlaser’s abilities and having a familiar face around will be invaluable as he adapts to life in his new surroundings.