MATT CROOKS has completed his move from Middlesbrough to American side Real Salt Lake.

Crooks' switch to the MLS side has been officially confirmed, with the 30-year-old midfielder having signed a contract to the end of the 2026 season.

Middlesbrough have received a fee for the transfer, which sees Crooks leave after almost three years on Boro's books.

"Everyone on the technical staff and in the front office are quite excited to welcome Matt Crooks to Salt Lake,” said Real Salt Lake sporting director Kurt Schmid, in an interview on the US side's official website.

"Matt is a player that should fit in very well on and off the field. He brings size and veteran leadership. He has good feet and his awareness on both sides of the ball really stands out.

“Crooks is always very involved in the final third, always in the mix with the ability to score and set things up. He can combine well and he’s willing to do the work with and without the ball.

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"We always look for good characters and players who will fit in the locker room. He is a good cultural fit and a high-character person that should translate his experiences and skills to MLS.”

Crooks joined Boro from Rotherham United in the summer of 2021, and made 111 senior appearances for the Teessiders, scoring 23 goals.

Crooks said: "I’m quite excited to make this move, very much the right time and right fit for me.

"In speaking to Kurt and the manager while in Portugal, they showed me how we want to play – it's pretty similar to our style at Middlesbrough.

"These are exciting times for MLS, I feel like the league's really growing now, with the World Cup coming over here in a couple of years' time.

"There's respect for football/soccer in America at the minute. I'm really looking forward to being a part of it and hopefully I can show everyone what I can do.”