Middlesbrough striker Tyrone O’Neill has joined neighbouring National League side Hartlepool United on a short-term loan. With the club confirming the deal on their official website.
Tyrone O’Neill is a 19-year old centre-forward who has made his way through the age groups at Middlesbrough, and recently played in the Checkatrade Trophy against Burton Albion’s senior side; a game in which they won 1-0.
This game was the catalyst for Hartlepool, after scouts recognised O’Neill as a possible signing for the club, as manager Matthew Bates pointed out.
“We went to watch Middlesbrough on Sunday and Tyrone stood out,” explained Bates.
“He’s still only young but I am sure he’s a player who the fans will enjoy watching because he’s whole-hearted, works very hard and he will offer something different to what we’ve got.”
O’Neill currently has three goals in nine games so far this season in the Premier League 2 division at Under-21 level, and was even included in the first team picture, when he appeared on the bench in Middlesbrough’s Carabao Cup game against Notts County in August.
According to Hartlepool’s official site, Boro have given permission for O’Neill to play in Pools’ FA Cup campaign, which gets underway this weekend, when they play League One side Gillingham at the Priestfield Stadium.
The loan deal is only short-term for the time being, with the youngster only joining until January 2019, however, dependent on his performances for the North-East club, O’Neill could re-sign in the winter window until the end of the season.
