AIDAN MORRIS’ revealed what his boss told him to be expecting at Boro

AIDAN MORRIS’ move to Middlesbrough should be finalized in the coming days, after the American midfielder bid an emotional farewell to the Columbus Crew over the weekend. The terms of Morris’ move to Teesside have already been arranged, with Boro expected to spend approximately £3 million to sign the 22-year-old midfielder. While talks were completed a while ago, Boro allowed Morris to make his final appearance for MLS club Columbus Crew against Sporting Kansas City.

Morris played for an hour as his team won 4-0, setting up a goal for Cucho Hernandez, and was overcome with emotion as he received a standing ovation upon his substitution. “I’m just so blessed,” Morris remarked during an interview with the Columbus Dispatch. “The game epitomized everything I’ve experienced over the last seven years here. My identity is defined by who we are as a team and how we approach games. “My heart is black and gold.”

Morris joined Columbus Crew’s youth program at the age of 15, made his professional debut in 2020, and has helped the team win two MLS Cups and make their first trip in the CONCACAF Champions Cup final.

An all-action central midfielder who has played more than 80 MLS matches and won five senior caps for the US national side, Florida-born Morris has become a firm favourite at Columbus Crew after speaking out publicly to help block a proposed franchise relocation. The strong crowd support he received when he left the field at the weekend was no surprise to Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy, who has been a key figure in Morris’ development.

“He knew that the club was preparing something,” said Nancy. “The family was there and everything.

“He wanted to finish well in front of the crowd and in front of the fans because it means a lot for him. H’s strong mentally because he had a good game – he had a lot of pressure and was able to do good.” Nancy has worked closely in the last couple of years, helping the midfielder develop both the mental and physical side of his game, and is confident Morris will be a big success on Teesside.