Former Middlesbrough striker Matthew Hoppe has joined Danish Superliga side Sonderjyske Fodbold, signing a two-and-a-half year contract after leaving Boro earlier this month.

Hoppe joined Boro in the summer of 2022 but things did not work out for the American on Teesside and his Boro contract was mutually terminated with 18 months still to run on it. Both parties agreed it was for the best, to allow the young striker to explore alternative options.

A return to the MLS had been expected, and indeed recent reports suggested that the 23-year-old was on trial at Vancouver Whitecaps, who were in pre-season in Marbella. However, as Teesside Live reported, the striker received an offer from the Danish club and opted to make the move and stay in Europe where he is hoping to get his once fledgling career back on track.

READ MORE: Ryan Giles' permanent Middlesbrough transfer stance, past failed moves and 'unfinished business'

READ MORE: Emmanuel Latte Lath sale is a risk Middlesbrough simply have to take with striker close to exit

On completing the move, Hoppe told the club website: "I am very happy to have signed a contract with Sonderjyske Fodbold. I have had some good talks with the coaching team and the sports director, and I am looking forward to becoming part of the team.

"I have tried a bit of everything here in Europe, so I come with a good experience, and I am pretty sure that I will quickly settle into Denmark and get to know the 3F Superliga. I am just looking forward to getting started, and I am looking forward to the upcoming challenges, where I will do everything I can to help meet the club's goals."

Sporting director Casper Daather said: "We are very pleased that we can now present Matthew Hoppe in the light blue jersey. He is a striker who, despite his relatively young age, has experienced a lot, and he has been to some significant addresses. Since he kicked the door into the Bundesliga, there has been a bit of silence around him for various reasons, and this is also our chance to come to the table.

"He needs a club that can help him return to the high level that he has so far shown that he possesses, and in that process Sonderjyske Fodbold is a good place for Hoppe to be. Matthew Hoppe is a classic number 9, who is a clinical and cynical finisher, and we are convinced that he will be able to help us on this spring's mission in the 3F Superliga. We look forward to introducing him to the light blue fans at home at Sydbank Park."

Having won promotion last season, Sonderjyske currently sit tenth in the 12-team division. With two sides relegated each season, they are currently six points clear of second-bottom Lyngby, and will be hoping Hoppe can add more goals to steer them clear of the drop.

Hoppe moved to Boro after an ill-fated spell at RCD Mallorca. But it was prior to that at Schalke that he first emerged as a potential star of the future. He became the third-youngest player to score a Bundesliga hat-trick and the first American to do so. On top of that, he earned his first USA National Team callup and scored one goal en route to the country’s Gold Cup win in 2021.

At Boro, he managed only six appearances, none of which were starts. Commenting on his exit, Michael Carrick said: “I think it was right for both of us and we wish him all the best. In the end, it didn't quite work for him here as he would have hoped. He had all the right intentions but it's just one of those things. We wish him all the best with the next step of his career and hope he has a really successful one."