How Middlesbrough plan to use new signing Aidan Morris has been revealed after his omission from the 2024 Olympics.
Middlesbrough have made four summer signings so far this window as they prepare for the 2024/25 Championship campaign.
Luke Ayling arrived on a free transfer from Leeds United before Delano Burgzorg was signed from Mainz 05.
Boro’s latest first-team addition was Aidan Morris, who signed from MLS outfit Columbus Crew for £3.16m.
Morris was in the midst of an excellent 2024 campaign in America, providing two assists in his final two games for the club.
He has since linked up with Boro and is expected to prove a quality addition to Michael Carrick’s midfield ranks.
Middlesbrough to ease Morris into pre-season
Middlesbrough were handed a boost on the Morris front recently when it was confirmed he had been left out of USA’s 18-man squad for the upcoming Olympic games.
The 22-year-old was part of the USA Under-23s squad for a final training camp before the Olympics but will now play no role for his country at this summer’s Olympics.
This means Morris will have a full pre-season with the Teessiders this summer and now, an insight into how the club will use the USA international has been provided.
According to the Northern Echo journalist Dominic Shaw, Morris will have his workload managed and there will be no pressure on the player, giving him a chance to find his feet in England.
Where Morris will fit in at Middlesbrough
With Morris expected to be eased into the eleven, Jonny Howson and Hayden Hackney are likely to start in midfield versus Swansea City on August 10th.
However, with Howson now 36 and coming toward the end of his playing career, Carrick may view Morris as an ideal replacement for the club captain.
Howson and Morris share a similar playing style and if Boro’s new signing adapts to English football well, he could start ahead of Howson in the near future.
Morris will also be competing for a starting berth with academy graduate Law McCabe and 27-year-old Dan Barlaser.