He's gone ... Rotherham United midfielder Matt Crooks' move to Middlesbrough confirmed

The three-year deal was finalised earlier this week and was announced this morning after the 27-year-old passed a medical.

Crooks, a £200,000 signing from Northampton Town in January 2019, has been with the Boro squad in the North West for the past couple of days and could make his debut in tonight's friendly at Plymouth Argyle.

Middlesbrough will pay an initial £1.1m and potential add-ons could take the fee as high as £1.6m.

The player had wanted to stay in the Championship after the Millers' relegation back to League One and the Riverside Stadium was always his preferred destination.

Another second-tier team and League One Ipswich Town had also made offers but Boro put more money on the table than anyone else. Peterborough United, Derby County and Cardiff City were among the clubs interested.

Now Crooks has departed, Rotherham boss Paul Warne is looking to bring in two midfielders and he also wants a right-back, a centre-half, a utility player and a striker.

"We've had a good two and a half seasons out of Crooksy," the manager said. "He's improved no end physically and in his understanding of the game. That's down to my coaches.

"He will be sorely missed in the dressing room, that is for sure. Your best players always move on."

Crooks with the Boro squad before his transfer was announced

Crooks made 97 appearances for the Millers, scoring 21 goals, and made the League One Team of the Year in 2020 when the the Millers won promotion.

He proved his Championship worth last season when he scored six league goals despite Warne's men finishing in the bottom three.

Boro boss Neil Warnock said: "I just think he fits in with exactly what we’re looking for.

"I think he can come in and contribute 10 to 15 goals a season and that’s what we need - more goals."