2023 arrival poised for Middlesbrough exit in £750,000 transfer

Lukas Engel is set to bring his Middlesbrough spell to an end after slipping down the club’s pecking order, with a permanent transfer now agreed for the Danish defender.

Reports from The Northern Echo state that Middlesbrough have finalised a deal to sell Engel to Major League Soccer side Real Salt Lake for a fee of $1 million, which is roughly £750,000. The move would see the left-back leave Teesside less than two years after arriving at the Riverside Stadium.

Boro are taking a calculated approach to the January transfer window as new head coach Kim Hellberg begins reshaping the squad. While the club are not expected to overhaul the team mid-season, selective departures are being used to free up space and resources for carefully chosen additions.

With promotion to the Premier League remaining the long-term ambition, Middlesbrough’s recruitment strategy is focused on efficiency rather than volume. Moving on fringe players is viewed as a necessary step in allowing Hellberg to assemble a group better suited to his vision, and Engel has emerged as one of the first names likely to move on.

According to the report, Real Salt Lake had already identified Engel as a target after selecting him in the MLS re-entry draft prior to Christmas. That move laid the groundwork for negotiations, which have now concluded with an agreement between the two clubs.

Engel, who joined Middlesbrough in 2023, is expected to sign a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Utah-based club, marking a permanent departure from English football.

There has been little resistance to the decision from supporters. Engel arrived in England with a strong reputation after excelling at Silkeborg IF in Denmark, where he was known for his attacking contributions from left-back. His energy, crossing ability and creativity made him a standout performer in the Danish Superliga.

However, translating that form to the Championship proved difficult. Despite receiving opportunities, Engel struggled to establish himself as a reliable first-choice option and was unable to consistently influence matches in the way he had previously done in his homeland.

At 27, the Dane was unable to convince the coaching staff that he could be the long-term solution on the left side of defence. That uncertainty ultimately led to a loan move to FC Cincinnati last winter, where he enjoyed a more positive spell and appeared to regain confidence in his game.

Image courtesy of: CRAIG BROUGH/REUTERS.

His performances in MLS seemingly caught the attention of Real Salt Lake, who now believe Engel can add value to their squad. With Hellberg now in charge at Middlesbrough, the left-back has not been offered a fresh opportunity to fight his way back into contention, prompting the club to cash in.

When a managerial change takes place, players on the fringes are often handed a clean slate. In Engel’s case, that chance has not materialised, with Boro instead opting to cut their losses and reinvest elsewhere.

For Engel, the move represents an opportunity to reset and rediscover the form that once made him such a highly regarded defender in Denmark. A return to the United States offers a new environment and a chance to play regular football as he enters the next chapter of his career.

During his time with Middlesbrough, Engel made 53 appearances in all competitions, registering two goals and four assists. While those numbers reflect moments of promise, they were not enough to cement his place in the squad.

Engel is expected to be the first senior departure of Middlesbrough’s winter window, but he may not be the last. Goalkeeper Seny Dieng is widely tipped to move on, with Championship rivals Hull City heavily linked with the Swiss international.

Image courtesy of: PAUL CHILDS/REUTERS.

Elsewhere, Bristol City have been credited with interest in forward Delano Burgzorg, while uncertainty remains surrounding Matt Targett’s loan spell amid injury problems at his parent club, Newcastle United.

Young players could also be on the move temporarily. Sonny Finch and George McCormick are both attracting attention and may be loaned out as Middlesbrough continue to fine-tune their squad over the coming weeks.

Image courtesy of: SCOTT HEPPELL/REUTERS

As Hellberg continues to shape the group in his image, further changes appear inevitable, with Engel’s departure likely just the beginning of Middlesbrough’s January business.