Matthew Hoppe makes “difficult” Middlesbrough admission amid Hibernian loan move | OneFootball

Striker Matthew Hoppe admits it has been “difficult” to claim a place in Middlesbrough‘s side this season, but hopes his loan move to Hibernian will give him the chance to do that.

Hoppe joined Middlesbrough from Spanish side Mallorca on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee back in the summer transfer window.

However, the striker rarely featured for ‘Boro during the first half of this season, featuring just six times for the Championship club.

As a result, the American international joined Scottish Premiership side Hibernian on loan until the end of the season on the final day of the January transfer window.

Having made his debut for the club as a substitute in their 1-0 win at St Mirren at the weekend, it seems the 21-year-old is hoping this loan stint can boost his prospects at ‘Boro, after seemingly finding the going tough at The Riverside Stadium so far.

Speaking about his move from Middlesbrough to Hibernian, Hoppe told The Edinburgh Evening News: “It’s difficult there.

“The team is doing really well. It’s hard to break in. But they see that I have what it takes to play there, so that’s why they sent me here to get some minutes and get playing.

“I learned about the move on deadline day. I left all that to my agent. I just want to focus on, wherever I’m at, giving 100 per cent. So I left it to my agent.

“I trust him – and Middlesbrough want to do whatever they can to help me, so I think this is the perfect move. Even though I knew nothing about it.”

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The Verdict

You can understand why Hoppe made this loan move to Hibernian for the second half of the season.

Having already struggled for games at Middlesbrough during the first half of the campaign, the January loan signing of Aston Villa’s Cameron Archer will have only pushed him further down the pecking order.

With that in mind, it makes sense for the 21-year-old to now go out on loan, where he can get the game time needed to continue to further his career, and catch the eye of those watching back at The Riverside.

Indeed, when you consider how Chuba Akpom has thrived for ‘Boro in the past few months after his loan spell last season, there is plenty of motivation for Hoppe to suceed here, and give himself something to build on when he returns to the club in the summer.