Middlesbrough FC transfer news: International striker released after transfer 'didn't quite work for him'

The 23-year-old, who joined from RCD Mallorca for around £2.5m two-and-a-half years ago, is now free to join another club on a free transfer.

The former Schalke player's contract was due to expire in the summer, but both sides have decided to make a clean break now.

Hoppe failed to score or start a single game for Boro, and only appeared as a substitute six times, all in the Championship. He was loaned to Hibernian and San Jose Earthquakes but is understood to have turned down the chance to move permanently to Major League Soccer at the end of the 2023 season to fight for his place on Teesside.

He did not play a minute for the club after that, and was not registered to play in this season's Championship.

It is believed he left the club late last year, initially on compassionate leave, and his contract has now been terminated.

"I think it was right for both of us and we wish him all the best," said coach Michael Carrick of the news. "In the end, it didn't quite work for him here as he would have hoped. He had all the right intentions but it's just one of those things.

"We wish him all the best with the next step of his career and hope he has a really successful one."