MIDDLESBROUGH are closing in on their second summer signing, with USA international midfielder Aidan Morris nearing a move to the Riverside.

Boro and Columbus Crew have agreed a deal for the 22-year-old, who has played five times for the United States senior team.

Morris is currently in training with the USA's under-23 side but is said to have left the camp and is now heading for the UK to put the finishing touches to his Boro switch.

Reports in the midfielder's homeland say Morris is expected to play again for Columbus Crew before officially joining Boro. Their next game is against New York City on Saturday. They then take on Lionel Messi's Inter Miami next week.

The agreed fee, according to the Athletic, is just over £3m. Morris is said to be excited at the prospect of playing in Europe.

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Michael Carrick and Boro's recruitment team identified strengthening in midfield as a priority this summer, with Lewis O'Brien having returned to Nottingham Forest at the end of his loan. 

Boro identified a leading target and talks were said to have progressed well, with the Championship promotion hopefuls confident of an early breakthrough. And it now seems that will be the case, with Morris set to join Luke Ayling through the door at the Riverside.

Despite only turning 22 at the end of last year, Morris, a box to box midfielder, has already played more than 100 games for Columbus Crew and won two MLS Cups.

Morris was expected to be part of the USA squad for this summer's Olympics. It's not clear whether a move to Boro would alter those plans.