Matthew Hoppe has left Middlesbrough after agreeing to a mutual termination of his contract after two-and-a-half difficult years at the club.

Signed in the summer of 2022 from RCD Mallorca, Boro had big hopes for the one-time USA international and Schalke star, but he struggled to make an impact at the Riverside. Hoppe's contract had been due to run until the end of next season, but a decision was taken for the deal to end early in order to allow the striker to pursue opportunities elsewhere.

Hoppe made only six substitute appearances for Boro and had loan spells at Hibernian and San Jose Earthquakes. The latter of those moves included an option which allowed the MLS side to sign Hoppe permanently. However, Hoppe himself is understood to have rejected the move in favour of returning to Teesside to fight for his place.

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But ultimately unable to convince Michael Carrick, the 23-year-old was not even included in Boro's registered squad this season. Despite playing a couple of early games for the under-21s, it's understood he left the club a couple of months ago, initially on compassionate leave, while the terms of terminating his contract were negotiated. Now a free agent, Hoppe is believed to have interest in the USA.

Asked about Hoppe's departure, Michael Carrick said: "Matthew has left us mutually. 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."