JUST IN: Columbus Crew are on the verge of loosing another talent as he has agreed terms to sign with…

After signing Aidan Morris, the next transfer priority for Middlesbrough has been revealed.

Middlesbrough have been active on the transfer front this month, with two names already through the door and one on the way.

Luke Ayling and Delano Burgzorg have moved to the Riverside ahead of the 2024/25 Championship season on permanent deals from Leeds United and Mainz 05.

Boro are also close to bringing a third name through the door in the near future, with Aidan Morris expected to sign from MLS outfit, Columbus Crew.

The 2024 MLS campaign is still ongoing and Morris was in action for Columbus on June 20, providing an assist as his side fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Inter Miami.

Columbus’ next fixture sees them face off with Sporting KC in the early hours of Saturday morning, with that game expected to be Morris’ last before he travels to England to complete his Boro switch.

 

Related:

Cucho Hernandez gets hat trick as Crew crush Sporting KC.

Cucho Hernandez recorded a hat trick as the Columbus Crew won at home for the first time in over three months, beating hapless Sporting Kansas City 4-0 on Saturday night. Hernandez scored in the 32nd minute and in the second minute of first-half stoppage time, later making it 4-0 with a goal off a free kick in the 71st minute. Hernandez has scored in three straight matches to give him nine goals for the season.

Making his 100th MLS start, Christian Ramirez had a goal in the 66th minute as the Crew (8-3-6, 30 points) rebounded from a loss at Inter Miami on Wednesday that ended a four-match winning streak. Columbus had not played at home since May 11, and its most recent win there came back on March 16, a 3-0 decision against the New York Red Bulls. Sporting Kansas City (3-12-5, 14 points) have dropped three straight matches, allowing four goals in each loss. They have gone just 1-10-0 over their past 11 matches.

It was a classic set-up that led to the first Hernandez score. The Crew held possession before Diego Rossi led Max Arfsten down the left flank. Arfsten neared the end line before making a sharp pass to Hernandez in the middle of the box.

Hernandez made the first touch with his right foot, then made a sharp cutback to elude two defenders before unleashing a left-footed strike into the lower right corner of the net.

Hernandez doubled the lead with a sneaky redirect that deflected off a Kansas City defender.

Aidan Morris earned the primary assist with a cross in his final match for the Crew. The 22-year-old midfielder is expected to sign with Middlesbrough FC of the second-tier English Football League Championship next week. He was given an ovation in the 60th minute as he subbed out. Ramirez and Hernandez later scored within five minutes of each other to put the finishing touches on the blowout.