Finn Azaz has made a move from Aston Villa to Middlesbrough for an undisclosed fee, rumored to be around £2 million, just one day before the two clubs face each other.
On the Sidelines for the FA Cup Clash
Unfortunately, the 23-year-old attacking midfielder will not be able to make his debut in Saturday's FA Cup clash against his former team.
Impressive Loan Spell
During his loan spell at Plymouth Argyle, Azaz, a former Republic of Ireland U21 international, played a pivotal role in helping the team secure promotion to League One last season.
Premier League Dreams
Now, Azaz is setting his sights on the Premier League with play-off hopefuls Middlesbrough after signing a four-and-a-half year contract at The Riverside.
Managerial Praise
Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick expressed his excitement about the new signing, saying, "I'm delighted to bring Finn to the club. He's an exciting player who already comes with good experience. He's had a good season so far, and we're really looking forward to working with him."
Delayed Debut
Unfortunately, due to a hold-up on Aston Villa's end, Azaz will have to wait a little longer to make his first appearance for Middlesbrough. The club had hoped to register him in time for the FA Cup third round clash against Villa, but that was not possible.
Missed Opportunities
Azaz is also cup-tied in the League Cup, which means he will be unable to participate in Boro's semi-final first-leg against Chelsea on Tuesday, as well as the away second-leg later this month.
Azaz's Debut Date
Azaz's first appearance for Middlesbrough is now scheduled for Saturday, January 13, when the team travels to Millwall in the Championship.
Impressive Record
Despite his young age, Azaz has already amassed a wealth of experience, making over 150 appearances and scoring 25 goals. This includes a goal against Middlesbrough for Plymouth in November.
A Journey Through Loan Spells
Azaz joined West Brom at the age of nine and progressed through their academy. He made senior appearances in the League Cup before going out on loan to Cheltenham for the 2020/21 season. His performances there caught the attention of Villa, who signed him from their Midlands rivals. Azaz gained further first-team experience on loan at Newport County, scoring seven goals in 45 matches, before joining Plymouth for an 18-month stint in the summer of 2022.
Leaving Villa Park
Despite his time at Aston Villa, Azaz did not make a top-flight appearance for Unai Emery's team before departing for Middlesbrough.
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