US International Matthew Hoppe joins Championship side Middlesbrough, linking up with USMNT goalkeeper Zack Steffen on a four year deal from RCD Mallorca.
American international Matthew Hoppe joins English Championship side Middlesbrough from La Liga outfit RCD Mallorca.
The 21-year-old burst on to the international scene in the Bundesliga for Schalke after joining from the Barca Academy in the US in 2019. After rising the ranks through the Schalke program, Hoppe became the first American to score a hat-trick for a Bundesliga team.
The American was sold to RCD Mallorca (famously backed by American sports figures Steve Nash and Stu Holden) in the summer 2021 transfer window for nearly $4m. The new setting wasn’t a catalyst for the striker, only notching one assist across seven outings since joining. An injury and COVID didn’t help the American find his previous form.
Hoppe joins fellow USMNT international Zack Steffen at The Riverside stadium, and will look to emulate other Americans who have found success in England. There are a long list of current Yanks playing in England, many of whom are finding great success and regular minutes in The Championship or above.