Hull bring in ex-Boro midfielder Crooks from MLS

Matt Crooks last played for Middlesbrough against Chelsea in an EFL Cup semi-final in January 2024

Hull City have completed the signing of Matt Crooks from MLS side Real Salt Lake.

The midfielder returns to England 12 months after leaving Middlesbrough to head to America, where he made 33 appearances.

Crooks, 30, played 115 games for Boro before his switch and he has now agreed a two-year-deal at MKM Stadium.

"I'm grateful to Salt Lake for the experience and what they were able to give me; it was something I always wanted to do as a kid and that's one thing ticked off that I always wanted to do," Crooks told Hull's official website.

Crooks scored 23 goals in his time on Teesside, including 11 in the 2021-22 season with his most famous strike coming in the FA Cup at Old Trafford as Boro knocked out Manchester United.

Now he has joined Ruben Selles' Tigers team with the goal of pulling them away from relegation danger. Hull are 22nd, level on points with Cardiff City directly below them and Portsmouth who are a place above.

"The club's got ambition, the chairman's got ambition," added Crooks.

"Although it's been a difficult start to the season for the lads, I'm sure we can push on and I'm here to help the best way I can."