MIDDLESBROUGH have made Matt Crooks their fifth signing of the summer following a move from Rotherham United.
The 30-year-old has signed a three-year deal at the Riverside Stadium.
Digital Sports Writer Matty Jones takes a look at Boro's newest recruit...
We're delighted to confirm the capture of Matt Crooks from @OfficialRUFC. Welcome to #Boro, @mdrcrooks! ✍️ #UTB
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) July 23, 2021
1. Crooks scored and was sent off against Middlesbrough last season
This could have been where Crooks caught Neil Warnock's eye. Rotherham United put the sword to Boro at the Riverside on a cold night in January and Crooks found the back of the night with a volley from the edge of the box. He was a menace all night. In the reverse fixture at the New York Stadium in April, it was a bad night for Boro's new midfielder as he received a straight red card for a elbow to the face of Grant Hall.
2. Crooks was third top goalscoring midfielder in the Championship last season
The 6 foot 4 inch midfield man proved to be a goal threat from midfield for Rotherham United last season. Six goals in the league was matched by Boro's George Saville while and was better by Phillip Billing and Junior Stanislas of Bournemouth who scored eight and nine respectively.
Summer signing number 🖐 @mdrcrooks #UTB pic.twitter.com/BscpoI4htf
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) July 23, 2021
3. Crooks played in Manchester United's academy
It's certainly a good school to graduate from. Crooks, born in Leeds, was signed to the United academy in 2009. The midfielder made the move closer to home to sign a professional deal with Huddersfield Town.
4. Crooks spent time on loan at Hartlepool United
As the midfielder tried to cut his teeth into first-team football, he was loaned out to Pools from Huddersfield Town. Crooks spent a month on loan just up the road when the side where in League Two and he made three appearances in the blue and white.
#Boro's new man @mdrcrooks joined training this morning 📸 #UTB
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) July 23, 2021
🤝 Host & Stayhttps://t.co/3goNYb1jFZ
5. Crooks had a spell with Rangers
The midfielder joined Rangers in the summer of 2016 after impressing during a spell at Accrington Stanley for a reported fee of around £60,000. He was signed alongside attacking midfielder Josh Windass. Unfortunately it didn't work out for Crooks as he only made two league appearances in Scotland.
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