Morgan Whittaker breaks silence on why he's left Middlesbrough in £8m deal | OneFootball

Middlesbrough agreed to sell Morgan Whittaker in the final hours of the summer transfer window

Morgan Whittaker has explained that he was keen to sign for Colorado Rapids due to feeling wanted by the club.

The forward departed Middlesbrough in the final hours of the summer transfer window in a deal worth a reported $10.7 (£7.9) million.

The 25-year-old was a consistent presence in the side last season as the Teesside outfit reached the play-off final under Kim Hellberg.

He contributed 14 goals and seven assists from 40 regular league appearances, but it wasn’t enough to help the club gain promotion to the Premier League.

The team lost in both the semi-finals and the final, having been granted a trip to Wembley due to Southampton’s expulsion from the competition.

Whittaker had featured in the opening three games of this season, as well as in the first and second round of the EFL Cup, before making the move to MLS.

Morgan Whittaker opens up on Middlesbrough exit

Action Images

Whittaker has claimed that he was keen to sign for Colorado because he felt wanted by manager Matt Wells, which appealed to him, as well as their style of play.

He believes that the move to the United States is a fresh challenge, and he’s pleased with his decision to make the switch from Middlesbrough.

“I think when I heard from the manager and how keen he was [to have me], and his playing style,” said Whittaker, via the Colorado Rapids’ YouTube channel.

“It was just that feeling of being wanted.

“Having a new challenge was really exciting for me, and I’m just really happy that I chose to come here.”

Whittaker is also excited by the prospect of testing himself in MLS, having seen an improvement in the standard of the division compared to previous years, and he now wants to become one of the best players to have competed for the club.

“The MLS has come a long way from when it first started, and I think you see that with the amount of English players that are coming here, and also the amount of American players that are being sold to the UK,” he added.

“It shows the league and it’s level, and also where it’s going.

“I think it’s a really exciting place to be.

“In my time here, I want to be considered one of the best players to play for the Rapids. As a collective, I want to help the team win as many trophies as possible, and leave a legacy here.”

Whittaker joined Middlesbrough from Plymouth Argyle in January 2025, and he was a key figure under Hellberg.

However, he received criticism from supporters despite his goal scoring efforts last season, with the team narrowly missing out on promotion back to the Premier League.

How Middlesbrough fans reacted to Morgan Whittaker’s exit

Middlesbrough fans had a mixed reaction to confirmation that Whittaker had departed the club, with some suggesting his performance in the play-off final tarnished his image.

Some supporters are confident that Boro will ultimately be a better side without him.

Fans believe he didn’t reach the heights many expected from him, but are still thankful for his contribution to the team over the last 18 months or so.

But there are also supporters who are just sad to see him go, with Whittaker proving a divisive figure among the fans.

Next up for Middlesbrough is a Championship clash at home against Norwich City on 12 September in a 3pm kick-off.

Action Images

Morgan Whittaker exit was best for all parties

While Whittaker seemed to have the affection of Hellberg, it was clear that his relationship with the fans was less rosy.

A move away from the Riverside, and out of England entirely, is perhaps the best for the 25-year-old at this stage of his career.

He earned a reputation for being technically gifted, but not too committed to the more physical side of the game, making him a bit of a luxury player.

Middlesbrough will miss his attacking quality, but it is also harder to justify keeping someone around that isn’t going to put as much work on the pitch to help the overall team.