Middlesbrough agree multi-million pound deal to sign international midfielder | OneFootball

Middlesbrough have agreed a deal in excess of £3m to sign midfielder Aidan Morris from Columbus Crew as Michael Carrick looks to strengthen his squad.

After a disappointing campaign that saw Boro fall short in their push for the play-offs, there will be a focus on adding quality to the squad this summer, and it appears they are already making moves in the market.

Bringing in midfield reinforcements was always going to be a priority after Lewis O’Brien returned to Nottingham Forest following his loan spell, and it’s an area where they were arguably lacking anyway.

Middlesbrough agree £3m deal for Aidan Morris

And, it appears they’re making progress on that front, as The Athletic revealed that the Championship side will pay over £3m to secure the services of 22-year-old Morris, who has impressed in MLS over the past few years.

They state that Boro will pay £3.14m ($4m) for the player, and part of the agreement will include a sell-on clause for Columbus Crew. It’s also stated that Morris is keen on making the move to Teesside, as he is keen to test himself in Europe.

Aidan Morris ready for next step in his career

The midfielder has been a regular for Columbus Crew in the past few years, and he really kicked on to establish himself as an important part of the side in 2023.

In total, he has featured in 79 MLS games, which means he will arrive at Boro with a decent pedigree considering he is still a young player.

His form domestically has also put Morris on the radar of the national team, and he has won five caps for the United States. However, he isn’t with the squad for the upcoming Copa América, although he is with the U23 side.

Known for his athleticism and intensity, Morris will hope that he can handle the demands of the Championship, as he looks to bring quality to a Boro side that will hope to be in the mix for promotion next season under the guidance of Carrick.

He has managed two goals and three assists in 13 league appearances this season, which demonstrates the all-round ability that the box-to-box midfielder has.

The report adds that Morris could play one final game for Columbus Crew before the transfer is finalised to give him a send-off.

Middlesbrough’s summer transfer plans

Following on from that, it’s set to be a busy summer for Boro, as they need to strengthen in several areas if they are to push for a play-off place next season.

So, fans will expect the club to be busy, and this is certainly a positive start, as Morris looks to fit the profile of what Boro want from new signings.

He is a young player with room to improve, but, crucially, he has enough games under his belt to be able to think he can come in and make an impact straight away.