Aidan Morris has taken to social media to send a message to Middlesbrough fans after completing his transfer from the MLS.
Michael Carrick has been hard at work so far this summer, ensuring his squad is ready for the 2024/25 Championship campaign.
The Steve Gibson-owned club has lingered in the Championship since 2017 but will no doubt have promotion aspirations in the forthcoming season.
Boro finished eighth in the division last term and fourth the campaign prior, but an influx of new players this summer should boost the club’s chances of reaching the Premier League in 2024/25.
Luke Ayling, who assisted eight in 19 league games while on loan at the Riverside last season, brings a wealth of experience back to Teeside having signed on a free.
Delano Burgzorg has also joined the club from Mainz 05 and is expected to bring some much-needed quality to the left flank of Middlesbrough’s attack.
The club have also strengthened in midfield with the signing of Aidan Morris from MLS outfit, Columbus Crew.
Aidan Morris ‘real excited’ after signing for Middlesbrough
The 22-year-old midfielder has signed a four-year contract with the club, keeping him in the North East until 2028.
After his signing was made official on Friday, Morris took to Instagram to pen a message.
He wrote: “Lovely tour of the stadium and real excited to get things started. UTB”
Morris joins Middlesbrough having played 105 times for Crew since joining them in 2020.
The midfielder was in the middle of the 2024 MLS campaign before he made the move to England and was in excellent form, assisting three in his last four appearances.
Aidan Morris can replace Jonny Howson at Middlesbrough
After Lewis O’Brien left the club following the expiration of his loan from Nottingham Forest, Morris is expected to be a key player in Boro’s midfield.
Carrick will have a big decision to make with his midfield selection in 2024/25, though, with Hayden Hackney and Jonny Howson the preferred duo when both are fit.
This leaves question marks over where Morris will fit into the Boro team once the new season gets underway.
However, Morris should be viewed as a long-term replacement for captain Howson, who is 36 years old.
The USA international is an excellent passer of the ball, completing 88 of his 89 passes attempted in his final game for Crew.
As well as being able to control a game from the base of midfield, Morris is a tireless worker, covering plenty of ground over the course of 90 minutes.
These attributes are very similar to Howson’s, but with the Englishman coming to the end of his career, Carrick should view his latest signing as a replacement for the 36-year-old.