Former Boro favourite Matt Crooks having medical ahead of shock Championship return
FORMER Middlesbrough midfielder Matt Crooks is on the verge of completing a surprise return to the Championship as he undergoes a medical with Hull City.
Crooks is set to be confirmed as Ruben Selles’ first signing as Hull boss after agreeing the terms of his proposed departure from the MLS.
The 30-year-old is set to complete a permanent move to Humberside, signing a two-and-a-half year deal with the Tigers, who currently find themselves in the Championship relegation zone.
Crooks was a firm favourite during his time on Teesside, with his move to the United States last February having come as something of a surprise.
Having joined Boro from Rotherham United in the summer of 2021, Crooks made 115 senior appearances for the Teessiders before heading to the US.
He cited the security of a long-term deal as the main driver behind his move to the MLS, and has fared reasonably well in the States, helping Real Salt Lake make the play-offs and claiming three goals and four assists.
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He returned to England at the end of the MLS season in the autumn, and was the guest of honour at the Riverside when Boro beat Hull 3-1 in late November.
He was back at the Riverside over the festive period, but now looks set to be lining up for one of Boro’s Championship rivals in the second half of the season.
His proposed move to Hull should be formally completed in the next 48 hours, enabling him to make his Tigers debut in the FA Cup third round.
The FA Cup is the only opportunity of him playing against Boro this season though, as Michael Carrick’s side have already played both of their league matches against Hull, following up November’s home win with a 1-0 victory at the MKM Stadium on New Year’s Day.
