Middlesbrough Seal Fletcher Deal

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Middlesbrough, relegated from the Premier League last season, completed the signing of West Ham United striker, Ashley Fletcher, reports the Guardian. The 21-year-old striker leaves the Olympic Stadium after a year and just two Premier League starts last season.

With the Hammers adding former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker, Javier ‘Chicarito’ Hernandez to their squad, the opportunities for Fletcher to establish himself in East London were looking even more limited.

The Keighley-born striker began as a Bolton Wanderers trainee but moved to Manchester United when he was 13-years-old.  The Hammer took him to East London after he spent six months on loan at Barnsley where he scored nine goals in 27 appearances.

Opportunities were limited for Fletcher in the struggling West Ham side. Despite making 20 appearances for them, his only goal of the season came in the 1 – 4 EFL Cup exit at Old Trafford.

Middlesbrough’s chief problem last season was scoring goals but the Teesiders hope the England Under-20 international can prove as successful as other youngsters who have passed through the ‘boro doors. Starting life in the Championship with a club aiming for promotion brings a ‘nicer’ pressure than one fighting for its Premier League survival.