Matthew Hoppe endured a frustrating year at La Liga side Mallorca, but the American forward can put that forgettable season side now as he prepares to embark on a new opportunity in England.
Hoppe has joined Middlesbrough on a permanent transfer from Mallorca, signing a four-year contract with the second-division club in a deal worth a reported $3.6 million. The 21-year-old is the second forward signing in Chris Wilder’s squad this summer and will also join U.S. men’s national team goalkeeper Zack Steffen, who arrived on loan from Manchester City in July.
Hoppe’s career began in the L.A. Galaxy academy before moving to German Bundesliga club Schalke in 2019. He worked his way through Schalke’s Under-19 and Under-23 clubs, totaling six goals and two assists in 35 combined appearances in the U-19 Bundesliga and Regionalliga respectively.
Hoppe made his senior Schalke debut in November 2020 and proceeded to score a hat trick in a 4-0 league win over Hoffenheim in January 2021. Hoppe finished his season with six goals and one assist in 25 appearances for Schalke before transferring to Mallorca in July 2021.
The California native totaled seven appearances and one assist with Mallorca last season, helping the club fight off relegation from La Liga. Hoppe’s move to Middlesbrough will provide a new opportunity for him to earn consistent playing time ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Hoppe has earned six caps with the USMNT to date, scoring one goal in the 2021 Gold Cup run for Gregg Berhalter’s side.
Middlesbrough faces Barnsley in EFL Cup action on Wednesday before hosting Sheffield United in league play on Sunday.
I think this is a great move for him. He may not make the WC for 2022 but right now he needs to get his career back on track. Hopefully him and Steffen get Boro to the Premier League next year.
I think its a better level for him than La Liga, so hopefully this works out.