LUKAS Engel is expected to leave Middlesbrough to link up with FC Cincinnati.

According to Danish sources, Engel will join the MLS side on an initial loan move with an option for the deal to be made permanent.

It comes after Boro completed the signing of Ryan Giles on Thursday, pushing Engel down to third in the pecking order at left-back at the Riverside.

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Boro have Alex Bangura to come back from injury in the summer and the highly-rated George McCormick also enjoyed a breakthrough in pre-season.

Engel arrived in the summer of 2023 but endured a difficult start to his first campaign on Teesside as Boro struggled following a major summer overhaul. The 26-year-old found his feet and improved as the season went on, but after Bangura suffered a serious Achilles injury in the summer, Neto Borges arrived.

The Brazilian has been first choice so far this season, limiting Engel to just four starts and nine appearances.

And now Giles has joined Boro, it adds further competition at left-back.

FC Cincinnati finished third in the MLS Eastern Conference last season.