Middlesbrough have finalized the acquisition of Ben Doak on a season-long loan from Liverpool. The Scotland winger had attracted interest from several clubs, including newly-promoted Leicester City and Southampton, as well as Hull City, who were also interested.
Hull City had hoped that their positive relationship with Liverpool, established through previous loans of Tyler Morton and Fabio Carvalho, might facilitate another loan deal. However, Doak has now agreed to terms with Boro, aiming to revive his senior career in the Championship following an injury-plagued season. The recent signing of Federico Chiesa from Juventus has intensified the competition for Doak, leading to his loan move to gain valuable playing time in the second tier.
With Chiesa becoming Liverpool’s sixth senior attacking option and the new Champions League format reducing opportunities for squad rotation, it was deemed more beneficial for Doak to acquire experience in the Championship. Doak’s last senior appearance was marred by a meniscus injury suffered in an Under-21s match against Chelsea last December, shortly after playing in a Europa League defeat to Union Saint-Gilloise.
Doak’s move is part of a flurry of deadline day transfers, including Nat Phillips’ transfer to Derby County and Stefan Bajcetic’s temporary loan to Red Bull Salzburg.
