One Middlesbrough summer signing has opened up on his first few weeks at the club after joining the Teesiders in the summer.
Michael Carrick was a busy man in the transfer window, signing eight first-team players in total as Boro look to build on their eighth-placed finish last season.
One of those brought in was Aidan Morris, who joined from MLS outfit Columbus Crew for a reported fee of £3m.
Morris has featured five times in all competitions for Middlesbrough so far and is already becoming a fan favourite at the Riverside Stadium.
Aidan Morris reflects on Middlesbrough career so far
The 22-year-old’s move to Middlesbrough was his first time leaving the US and although his performances were enough to see him called up by the USMNT for games against New Zealand and Canada, Morris admitted that it’s been a big period of transition for the winger.
Speaking to Goal.com, he said: “It’s been a good transition.
“Life’s not the easiest moving across the world, away from family and friends, but I’ve got great teammates over there, so they made the transition easy. Back in Columbus, Wilfred [Nancy] and his whole staff did such a good job with me there.
“Not only was it not easy for me to have success there, but I think the way he pushed me back in Columbus, it set me up well for different environments around the world, especially England.”
Aidan Morris names biggest challenge about playing in the Championship
As with any player, as well as the transition away from the pitch, there is also coping with the demands of a new league, and for Morris, the physicality and frantic pace of the game has taken some getting used to.
“In England, in this league, I think all you guys know if you watch it a lot. It’s very physical. It lasts for 90 minutes,” the 22-year-old added.
“I think that’s the biggest thing I’ve taken from it. It’s chaotic, it’s non-stop. I’ve tried to have a calming sense to it all and try to calm down games and control a little bit but, yeah, it’s been a joy to see a different side of football.”
Boro and Morris return to action against Preston North End on Saturday 14 September.