Report: USMNT's Zack Steffen to Join Middlesbrough on Loan From Manchester City
USMNT goalkeeper Zack Steffen appears to have found a new home for the 2022-23 season. The 27-year-old reportedly is set to join EFL Championship side Middlesbrough on loan from Manchester City, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano: All that’s left is the medical before the move is official, so Steffen will have the opportunity to be a regular starter for a team ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar in November. Since joining City in 2019 on a permanent transfer from Columbus Crew, Steffen has not been the primary option for the Sky Blues. He spent his first season on loan at German side Fortuna Düsseldorf. He made four appearances with City this past season: twice in the Carabao Cup, once in the Premier League and once in the UEFA Champions League. However, City signed Stefan Ortega from Arminia Bielefeld of the Bundesliga this summer to be the primary backup for first-choice goalie Ederson, pushing Steffen down the pecking order. Steffen will become Middlesbrough’s new No. 1 for at least one season after the team finished seventh in the Championship last year, just one spot away from the playoffs. Fellow USMNT goalies Matt Turner and Ethan Horvath also joined new teams this summer. Turner signed with Arsenal on a permanent deal from New England Revolution while Horvath joined Luton Town of the Championship on loan from Nottingham Forest, one of the newly promoted teams to the Premier League. All three are hoping to make Gregg Berhalter’s squad in Qatar.
Middlesbrough close in on fourth summer signing as Zack Steffen's Man City loan nears completion
Middlesbrough are close to completing their fourth signing of the summer, with Zach Steffen set to join on a season-long loan from Manchester City. The goalkeeper is set to undergo a medical on Teesside over the weekend to finalise the move that would see him become Chris Wilder's new number one. Wilder and the Boro squad are in Portugal right now on their warm-weather training camp, where they will take on Braga on Friday evening. All being well though, Steffen should complete his move to then meet his new Boro team-mates next week when they return from the continent. The breakthrough comes after a wait was needed for the American to sort his work permit. The USA international has been allowed to leave Man City this summer after they signed Stefan Ortega to challenge Ederson for their number one jersey. Steffen was reportedly desperate to get out on loan and play games, with his place in the USA national side under threat leading into the World Cup later this year.