If Championship rival Derby County were to sign the top level full-back before Boro, Middlesbrough would have made a bold addition.
Derby County and Middlesbrough both hope to add quality during the summer transfer window in order to build on their achievements from the 2024–25 Championship season.
Rob Edwards was appointed by Boro to replace Michael Carrick, who was fired earlier this summer after the team fell out of the top six.
In his first full season at Pride Park, South of Boro Rams manager John Eustace will want to improve on the team’s relegation-threatened finish to the previous campaign.
Derby and Boro are engaged in a tussle for Blackburn Rovers full-back Callum Brittain as the transfer market is in full force.
If the Rams win the Brittain race, Edwards’ team will have another excellent option to choose from.
If Callum Brittain is signed by Derby County, Middlesbrough should target Ki-Jana Hoever.
The writing is on the walls at Ewood Park for Brittain, 27, after he declined to play for Blackburn in a preseason match against Accrington Stanley earlier this summer.
Following his call, Rovers manager Valerien Ismael expressed his views on Britain. According to Chief Football journalist Graeme Bailey, EFL Analysis exclusively disclosed that Middlesbrough had made an offer for Britain that fell short of Blackburn’s asking price.
Following the announcement that an overall agreement worth about £3 million, including add-ons, had been agreed upon, Bailey recently told EFL Analysis that Derby had joined Middlesbrough in the Brittain race.
Edwards’ team should aim for Wolves full-back Ki-Jana Hoever instead of Boro if Derby manages to acquire Brittain and Eustace teams up with another of his former Blackburn players.
After spending four consecutive seasons on loan, the Dutchman, who joined Wolves from Liverpool in 2022, has failed to establish Molineux as his permanent footballing platform.
Having made 61 appearances for Stoke City on loan between 2022 and 2024, when he impressed then-Potters manager Alex Neil, Hoever has a wealth of Championship experience.
After a preseason match in 2023, Neil addressed Stoke’s media: “Yeah, he’s (Hoever) top isn’t he? In my opinion, he was exceptional.
“His return makes me very happy. He’ll be even better this year than he was last, in my opinion. He seems to be playing with swagger and confidence, in my opinion. He is really athletic. Yes, a good player.
In addition to Neil’s evaluation of the 23-year-old, it is evident from looking at his profile that Hoever would be the ideal addition to Boro in order to fit Edwards’ style of play.
Rob Edwards would love to sign Ki-Jana Hoever at Middlesbrough.
Given the differences between his philosophy and formation from that of his predecessor, Carrick, Edwards’ style of play for Boro has come under scrutiny.
Edwards frequently employs a back-three formation, as demonstrated during his time at Luton Town, with wing-backs on either flank providing width and launching an offensive assault.
Therefore, considering his stellar statistics from his most recent second-tier season with Stoke, Hoever would be the perfect addition at right-wing back if the Brittain move doesn’t work out for Boro.
| Key statistic | Ki-Jana Hoever in 23/24 for Stoke |
| Games played | 40 |
| Goals + Assists | 4 + 5 |
| Chances created | 35 |
| Duels won | 182 |
Ki-Jana Hoever’s impressive full-back statistics in the 2023/24 Championship on loan at Stoke
With just one year remaining on his current Wolves deal, Hoever, who made 30 appearances on loan at French top division team Auxerre last season, would be in the ballpark of the suggested £3 million Brittain cost for a hypothetical transfer.
Edwards will be eager to put a stop to his extended absence during his first season in the Riverside dugout, as Middlesbrough finished last in the top flight in 2017. The arrival of Hoever would undoubtedly help his promotion bid.
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Sounds good and Alex Niel knows a good player, he just stole Josh Coburn from stupid Kieron Scott at Boro. So Kieron Scott will try to get him on loan rather than buying him.