Aidan Morris’ growth into one of the top midfielders in MLS has led to a reported future move to England later this year.
Morris is set to join English second-tier side Middlesbrough after a deal has been agreed upon with the Columbus Crew, The Athletic reported Tuesday. Columbus is set to receive a $4 million transfer fee for Morris and the deal would also include a sell-on clause, according to the report.
The 22-year-old is a two-time MLS Cup winner, most recently helping Columbus defeat LAFC 2-1 in the 2023 final. Morris has made 87 MLS appearances to date and overall has featured in over 100 matches for the Crew in all competitions.
He missed most of the 2021 season due to a serious knee injury but rebounded by being one of the Crew’s key players.
Morris made his U.S. men’s national team debut in 2023 and has since earned five caps in total. He last featured in a 1-0 friendly loss to Slovenia last January.
Morris would join Zack Steffen, Folarin Balogun, and Matthew Hoppe as recent American players to feature for Middlesbrough over the past few seasons.
Middlesbrough finished eighth in the EFL Championship last season, barely missing out on the promotion playoffs.
Aidan Morris is Aye Borough Boy, Dats Wuz up! Judging from their roster, and his skill set; I think he gets pushed into attacking midfield. They have some size returning in the midfield. No players are under 5’ 10’. Think, of a defensive minded Podence, formerly of the Wolves.
Attacking midfield? That’s not his game.
He’s not going to be able to hang in right midfield in the championship division.
Awesome move for this kid’s development. He’s been a protégé under Darlington Nagbe for a while now and has learned a lot working with him…….like growing into a dynamic MLS midfielder, with a high pass completion percentage, who will not shy away from a tackle. Wish he was on a team that had Sargent or Wright or Aaronson on it…..but oh well, still a great move
Love this for Aidan, kind of hate it for my Crew. I would guess Zawadzki will slot into his place. I’d say for that kind of money he should get a chance but Middlesbrough did pay 3 million pounds for Hoppe to play for their U23s.
Hopes descent has continued at San Jose.
Hope Morris does well.
Oh nevermind. I thought San Jose bought Hoppe. Maybe Hoppe will break in next season for Boro.
JR
What is your best guess as to Aidan’s ceiling?
I don’t know how much it matters but Carrick was one hell of a prototypical Pirlo-esque #6. If he can learn anything from him that would be great.
Honestly Championship is probably it, but I wouldn’t have thought he’d reach this point two years ago. He’s flourished under Nancy. Gone from just being a whirling dervish on the edge of out of control DM, to a fairly impressive in possession box to box player. What you notice watching him is he’s almost always looking to turn and progress the ball. A lot of American DM aren’t very confident and if they get the ball facing their CB they just tap it right back without even checking they just don’t risk. Aidan is always turning and breaking lines. He’s obviously not as smooth as Darlington but he’s very good by MLS standards on the turn.