A YOUNG boy was over the moon after he received a letter from his footballing hero, Jordan Rhodes.

The former Middlesbrough striker moved to Sheffield Wednesday on the final day of the January transfer window but, despite the switch, took time to write back to the young Middlesbrough fan after receiving a letter during his time at the club.

The Northern Echo:

Jordan Rhodes: 'One day I hope to see you playing number 9 for Boro'

Along with the letter, striker Rhodes included a signed Topps football card.

In the letter he wrote: "Dear Oliver, Thank you for your letter and writing to me.

"It made me smile at a time when I was quite sad at Middlesbrough. I was quite frustrated at not being able to play or even being on the bench sometimes, so like you I did have to change teams sadly.

"I would love to hear how you are doing at Riverside Juniors and hope you have scored some goals.

"I really loved playing for Middlesbrough and living in the area too.

"I hope you continue to enjoy your football aswell as working very hard at school and one day I hope to see you playing number 9 for Boro.

"Best wishes."

"P.S. I hope your brother is OK too as I remember you both from training."

Sarah Warren, Oliver’s mother, said the youngster wrote to the footballer after being in a similar situation in his own career.

“He was playing for Boro Rangers but wasn’t getting a game, so he moved to Riverside Junior Reds where he is getting lots of games and scoring loads of goals.

“We were looking through the programme and I said to Oliver why don’t you write to one of the players.

“At first I suggested Patrick Bamford – to welcome him back to the club, but he said he wanted to write to Jordan because of their similar careers.”

Ms Warren said Oliver, eight,  met Rhodes, his “favourite Boro player”, during a training session at Rockliffe Hall last year.

“He was great – he talked for ages and we took loads of pictures.

“We sent Jordan a picture to remind him and a football trading card, but I never expected him to return it with his autograph.”

Although Oliver was sad to see Rhodes leave in the January transfer window, Ms Warren said he was delighted with the striker’s start to his Sheffield Wednesday career.

“We watched the game together at the weekend and it was great to see him score.”