Middlesbrough will not have one or two Americans in its squad this season, but three.
Max Arfsten has officially joined the English second-tier club in a permanent move from the Columbus Crew. Arfsten signed a four-year deal with Middlesbrough and will join up with fellow American teammates Sebastian Berhalter and Aidan Morris in Kim Hellberg’s squad.
“I’m very excited to be here and want to do everything I can to make this fanbase proud,” Arfsten said in a club interview. “ When I heard about the ambitions of the club, how they are as people and the direction the club is going in, it intrigued me. I’ve been wanting to come here for some time and now I just can’t wait to train with the team and hit the ground running.”
Morris is heading into his third season with the club while Berhalter recently joined in a permanent deal from the Vancouver Whitecaps earlier this week.
The 25-year-old Arfsten quickly became one of the key fullbacks/wingbacks in both MLS and the USMNT player pool. After joining the Crew in 2023 and winning MLS Cup, Arfsten became a starter in 2024 and has since totaled 95 appearances for the club in all competitions.
He scored 17 goals and added 24 assists in MLS play, helping Columbus lift the Leagues Cup in 2024. Arfsten has also earned back-to-back nods to the MLS All-Star Game.
A rapid rise at club level has also led to Arfsten’s growing role with the USMNT over the past two years. Arfsten has earned 21 caps to date and made his FIFA World Cup debut earlier this summer under head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
“Aidan especially has been telling me about the style of play, the culture of the club and the fanbase here,” Arfsten added. “Having both Aidan and Seb here will make the transition easier, because it’s always a big deal signing for a new club. I’m just excited to have a new challenge and I’m looking forward to getting going.”
Middlesbrough will aim to be among the promotion contenders in the EFL Championship this season after falling to Hull City 1-0 in the promotion final.
Kim Hellberg’s squad will open their competitive schedule on August 7 against Wrexham in EFL Cup play.
Source: Sbisoccer.com
