Morgan Whittaker addresses why he departed Middlesbrough in an £8 million transfer.

Morgan Whittaker has revealed the main reason behind his decision to leave Middlesbrough and join Colorado Rapids, explaining that the strong desire shown by the MLS club played a major role in convincing him to make the move.

The 25-year-old forward completed his departure from Middlesbrough during the final hours of the summer transfer window, with the deal reportedly worth around $10.7 million (£7.9 million). His move brought an end to his time at the Riverside after less than two years with the Championship club.

Whittaker had established himself as an important attacking player for Middlesbrough during the previous campaign. He was regularly involved as Boro mounted a serious promotion challenge and eventually reached the Championship play-off final under manager Kim Hellberg.

Across 40 league appearances during the 2025-26 season, Whittaker scored 14 goals and supplied seven assists. Despite his individual contribution, Middlesbrough were unable to secure promotion to the Premier League.

The campaign ultimately ended in disappointment for Boro. They suffered defeat in the play-off semi-finals and then lost at Wembley in the final after being handed a place in the showpiece following Southampton’s expulsion from the competition.

Whittaker remained part of Hellberg’s plans at the beginning of the new season. He featured in Middlesbrough’s first three league matches and also appeared in the opening two rounds of the EFL Cup before his unexpected move across the Atlantic was completed.

Whittaker explains his decision

Speaking after completing his transfer, Whittaker explained that one of the biggest attractions of joining Colorado Rapids was the enthusiasm shown by head coach Matt Wells.

The former Middlesbrough player said he immediately felt that the Colorado manager genuinely wanted him at the club. That sense of being valued, combined with Wells’ footballing philosophy, convinced him that the move represented the right opportunity at this stage of his career.

Whittaker explained that the conversations he had with Wells made a particularly strong impression on him. The manager’s desire to bring him to Colorado and the style of football he wanted to play were both important factors in the forward’s decision.

The attacker also admitted that the prospect of taking on something completely different was exciting. Rather than seeing his departure from England as a step backwards, Whittaker views the move to MLS as an opportunity to experience a new environment and test himself in unfamiliar surroundings.

He said that feeling wanted by the Rapids was ultimately one of the most important reasons he decided to accept their offer and begin a new chapter in the United States.

Whittaker is also looking forward to experiencing Major League Soccer first-hand. He believes the competition has developed considerably since its early years and pointed to the increasing movement of players between MLS and the English game as evidence of its growing reputation.

The forward noted that more English players are choosing to move to the United States, while American footballers are increasingly attracting interest from clubs in the United Kingdom. In his view, that exchange demonstrates how much MLS has progressed and highlights the direction in which the league is heading.

For Whittaker, the move is therefore about more than simply leaving Middlesbrough. He sees it as an exciting opportunity to develop as a player while experiencing a different footballing culture.

Aiming to leave a legacy

Whittaker has already set himself ambitious targets for his time with Colorado Rapids. Rather than simply becoming another player on the club’s roster, he wants to establish himself as one of the best players to have represented the team.

The former Plymouth Argyle attacker also wants to contribute to collective success. His ambition is to help Colorado compete for and win as many trophies as possible while building a lasting reputation during his time with the club.

Whittaker joined Middlesbrough from Plymouth Argyle in January 2025 and quickly became an important member of the squad. His best spell came during the following campaign, when he produced 14 league goals and seven assists in 40 appearances.

His overall record at Middlesbrough also includes 16 league appearances during the second half of the 2024-25 season, when he registered one assist without scoring. At the beginning of the 2026-27 campaign, he made three league appearances and contributed one assist before completing his transfer.

Although his attacking numbers were impressive, Whittaker’s time at Middlesbrough was not without controversy. Some supporters questioned aspects of his performances, particularly his work without the ball and his contribution during important matches.

The criticism became particularly noticeable following Middlesbrough’s play-off final defeat at Wembley. Some fans felt Whittaker failed to make the desired impact in one of the biggest games in the club’s recent history.

Mixed reaction from Middlesbrough supporters

The response to Whittaker’s departure was far from unanimous among Middlesbrough supporters.

While some fans were disappointed to lose a player who had contributed 14 goals and seven assists during the previous Championship campaign, others were relatively comfortable with the decision to allow him to leave.

A section of the fanbase felt that his Wembley performance had damaged the affection he had built up during his time at the club. Those supporters argued that his departure would not necessarily weaken Middlesbrough in the long term.

Others believed that Boro could eventually become a stronger and more balanced team without him. His technical ability was widely recognised, but there were concerns about whether he consistently offered enough intensity and physical commitment to fit the demands of the Championship.

There were also supporters who were simply disappointed to see him leave. Despite the disagreements surrounding his performances, Whittaker had delivered important moments and contributed significantly to Middlesbrough’s promotion campaign.

That explains why his departure has produced such a divided response. Some fans believe he failed to fulfil his full potential at the Riverside, while others remain grateful for what he brought to the team during his 18 months on Teesside.

Why the move could benefit everyone

Whittaker’s transfer to Colorado Rapids may ultimately prove beneficial for all parties involved.

From the player’s perspective, moving away from Middlesbrough gives him the opportunity to start again in a new country and under a manager who has already made it clear that he believes in his qualities.

The change could also give Whittaker the chance to play with greater freedom and confidence. At Middlesbrough, his performances were often judged against the demands of a physically demanding Championship promotion battle, where attacking players are expected to contribute heavily both with and without the ball.

Whittaker has long been regarded as a technically gifted footballer capable of producing moments of quality in the final third. However, questions have sometimes been raised over his defensive contribution and willingness to engage in the physical side of the game.

That perception made him something of a luxury player for some Middlesbrough supporters.

For Boro, losing a player who scored 14 league goals is clearly a significant blow. His creativity and ability to influence matches in the final third will not be easy to replace.

Nevertheless, Middlesbrough may believe that moving him on was the sensible solution if the player was no longer universally appreciated by the supporters and a substantial transfer fee could be secured.

The club will now have to focus on life without Whittaker and continue their pursuit of promotion. Their next Championship fixture comes against Norwich City at home on September 12, with kick-off scheduled for 3pm.

For Whittaker, meanwhile, the focus will be on proving himself in MLS. Having felt strongly wanted by Colorado Rapids, he now has the opportunity to repay that faith and attempt to establish himself as one of the club’s standout players.

His Middlesbrough chapter may have ended amid mixed emotions, but the move to Colorado offers him a fresh start and the chance to build the legacy he wants in a new league.