A new Middlesbrough signing has revealed the key role Michael Carrick played in convincing him to join the club.
Middlesbrough are expected to announce their third signing of the 2024 summer transfer window shortly.
Boro head into the 2024/25 Championship campaign aiming to secure promotion back to the Premier League for the first time since 2016/17.
This past season saw the Teessiders miss out on the playoffs by just four points but they have already begun taking steps towards mounting a proper promotion charge this time out.
Middlesbrough have signed Luke Ayling from Leeds United and Denalo Burgzorg from German outfit, Mainz 05.
Joining the duo at the Riverside shortly will be Aidan Morris, who is set to sign from MLS team, Columbus Crew.
Middlesbrough will pay the MLS side $4m (£3.16m) to bring Morris to the Riverside.
Aidan Morris explains how Michael Carrick convinced him to join Middlesbrough
With the 2024 MLS season still ongoing, Morris has been in action for Columbus Crew over the last few weeks despite agreeing to join Boro.
Morris started for Columbus Crew on June 20, providing an assist as his side fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Inter Miami.
The 22-year-old then played his final game for the MLS side on June 23, once again providing an assist as his team thumped Kansas City 4-0.
Following the game, the midfielder sat down with NBC4 Columbus to explain the role Michael Carrick had in convincing him to join Middlesbrough.
Morris said: “There was a phone call with Michael Carrick. He’s such a person I looked up to growing up watching soccer.
“The phone call I got was special. [Michael Carrick] gave me his pitch and what Middlesbrough was all about as a team. It seemed like this was the right step to take in my career.”
What Aidan Morris will bring to Middlesbrough
Morris joins Middlesbrough at a time when their midfield department is in need of a shakeup.
Jonny Howson has been a standout star for the Teessiders over the last several years but is now 36 and will need replacing soon.
Elsewhere, Dan Barlaser and Hayden Hackney have both attracted interest this summer and could depart the club.
In turn, Boro may be short on midfield options come the start of 2024/25, but Morris is a versatile option who can offer depth in a number of areas.
Morris’ natural role is a box-to-box style number eight but he can also operate as a number 10 or as a sitting defensive midfielder.
The five-time capped United States international is able to control the game from deep, with his ability to ping passes and dictate play similar to that of Howson.
So, while the jury is still out on how Morris will adjust to life in England, Carrick may have found himself a long-term replacement for the current Middlesbrough captain.