AIDAN Morris believes he is the “perfect fit” to play for Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough and hopes to make history at the Riverside.
Morris’ transfer from Columbus Crew to Boro was announced at the end of last week, with the 22-year-old signing a four-year contract on Teesside.
Boro’s head of recruiting, Chris Jones, has been watching the midfielder closely in the MLS in recent months, so he is well aware of the transfer interest.
And, despite the “slow process” of getting the move done, he’s thrilled to be a Boro player, albeit acknowledges it’s a little “surreal” to be coached by Carrick, a man he grew up watching and adoring.
“I had a Zoom call with him, I think around 30-45 minutes, and it was great,” Morris said of his first meeting with his new employer.
“He taught me the fundamentals of how they play, the group of people we have, and the general atmosphere of the club.
“It increased my confidence in coming here and made my decision easy.
“I grew up watching Manchester United matches. I remember my father pulling me out of school to see big Champions League games versus Barcelona and other teams, so having him as my coach feels a little odd to me.
“He was a tremendous player, and I am delighted to learn from him. It’s an ideal match for me since he was a midfielder who controlled the pace and tempo of a game and was really consistent. He embodied everything I try to be exceptional at. It will be exciting to work with him.” Morris joins Boro after establishing himself as a prominent figure in the MLS, which drew the attention of Boro’s recruitment team.
“Chris [Jones] came to scout me in the first game of the season this year and since then it’s kind of been a slow process,” explained the player.
“But I’m thrilled to be here today and part of the team; everyone has been really
welcoming.” Morris, a five-time USA international, was a fan favorite at Columbus Crew and received an emotional send-off before departing. Now he intends to establish a similar bond with Boro’s fans.
“For sure, that’s the goal,” he told the club’s website.
“Hopefully, that comes naturally from my play, and I don’t have to say anything. I just want to show it all on the field. I’m a passionate gamer who loves to give it my all. I detest losing as well, so perhaps I can contribute to the success of this club.”
The most important goal for him is promotion.
He says, “I want to be in the Premiership. I want to bring this team together.
“Michael and the team play such a great brand of football, which I’ve learned a little about over the last few weeks. So I want to give this club the credit it deserves and help it reach the Premier League.
“They’ve clearly been in the Championship for a few years, but it’s a club with a rich history, and I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t satisfied with it. I’m glad to be here and hope to make some history here.
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