After the departure of Patrick Bamford earlier in the window, Middlesbrough have bolstered their attacking options with the acquisition of West Ham’s Jordan Hugill and former manager Simon Grayson has heaped praise on the new Boro forward.
The former-Preston North End striker has endured a difficult time since joining the Hammers and Middlesbrough are set to offer Hugill a lifeline.
Hugill’s manager at Preston was Simon Grayson, and the 48-year old was quick to compliment the striker in an interview which appeared on Middlesbrough’s official website.
“He’d worked as a barman in Middlesbrough and had had a few disappointments in his early career,” he said. “We signed him from Port Vale and took a gamble, and he did fantastically well.
“He went to Hartlepool on loan and did well, then came back to us after working all summer and he smashed it the next season down to pure endeavour and work-rate.”
Grayson went on to mention that Hugill has always been a Boro supporter, and has followed the club even during his playing career with Preston.
He said, “There was never any secret that he was a massive Middlesbrough fan. He always looked out for the results, and he’s gone the long way around, but he’s got the chance he’s always wanted to play for his club.”
He also went on to discuss the new Boro strikers ability, “He’s a good centre-forward, an old fashioned centre-forward in some respects” he said. “He’s brave, he gives it a right go, and he is a player who wants to keep on learning.
“And because he had it tough as a young player and worked his way from non league, he treasures every moment and knows what he has to do.”
Hugill will be hoping to make his debut at The Riverside on Saturday, as they face off against Garry Monk’s Birmingham City in the Championship.
