Morgan Whittaker admits reuniting with Finn Azaz was a huge factor in his decision to join Middlesbrough this month.

The exciting forward joined Boro in a deal that sees them paying Plymouth Argyle £5 million initially, with a further £2.5m in performance-related bonuses included. He rejected the advances of Burnley to make the move to Teesside.

And while conversations with Michael Carrick and a clear style of play he feels will suit him were pulls too, playing again with Boro star Azaz was a huge factor. The pair formed such a fruitful partnership at Home Park before Aaaz’s Boro move 12 months ago, as Whittaker netted 20 goals last season.

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“I'm really excited and just can't wait to get going,” Whittaker said in his first club interview. “I'm relieved it's all done. I’m very sure on what I want and need for my next step. Middlesbrough is the perfect opportunity, with the manager, players and style of football.

“Being back with Finn was a big appeal as well because he set up most of my goals last season so I'm hoping he can do that again and we can have a strong end! I had a couple of conversations with Finn when I knew it was a possibility. He said how good it was and how good an environment it was and it's a really good place to be.

“I had really good conversations [with Michael Carrick] too. There was a very clear message on the style of play and what he wants and that's good as a player, coming in and knowing what the manager needs and wants. Just everything fits well and I know what I need next.”

Whittaker joins Boro as a replacement for Isaiah Jones, who was sold to Luton Town earlier in the month. Jones’s departure came as he sought more game-time having struggled for such at the Riverside due to poor form and Ben Doak’s excellence.

Whittaker is predominantly a right-sided forward himself and can challenge Doak for his spot in the second half of the campaign in that he offers something completely different to the Liverpool loanee. The new boy can operate anywhere across the forward line though, as he made his aims clear after a difficult first half to the campaign at Plymouth.

He said: “I'm versatile. I do like the right hand side but also playing as a 10, coming into this team with the midfielders we have and being able to find pockets of space and get into the game. Obviously promotion is the big aim but individually I want to get back to how I was last season: more shots, being creative and just getting more goals and assists.”

Whittaker had two excellent spells at Home Park, and made himself a fan-favourite with high level of performances. However, the end somewhat soured relations after Pilgrims head coach Miron Muslic claimed the 24-year-old did not show up for a game against Burnley last week.

Since joining Boro, Whittaker has taken to Instagram to refute the Bosnian’s claims. He addressed them once more in his club interview too after many questioned his character off the back of Muslic’s comments.

“So difficult,” he admitted. “It was very upsetting. Plymouth was a massive part of my career so the way it ended and how it ended, I didn't like it at all. What was said about me after the Burnley game, I knew it wasn't true, the players knew it wasn't true and everyone at the club knew it wasn't true.

“We had an agreement with the manager before the Burnley game. I thought it was an easy decision, he was very understanding and we went forward from there. But then there were the comments after. The aftermath of those comments has been very upsetting, not just for me but for my partner and family as well.

“We loved our time at Plymouth and for it to end how it did, it's really upsetting. My time at Plymouth was amazing and some of my memories will last my whole career. I owe a lot to Plymouth, I wouldn't be sat in this chair if it wasn't for them.”