Middlesbrough midfielder Sam Morsy is set to become the Blues’ 19th senior signing of the summer before the transfer window closes at 11pm this evening.

News that Morsy was being targeted by Town emerged over the weekend but it’s believed manager Paul Cook has had his eye on his former Chesterfield and Wigan captain throughout the summer.

The Egyptian international was understood to be happy with Boro and wary about dropping into League One but the lure of playing for Cook once again appears to have persuaded the 29-year-old to move down a division.

Middlesbrough were unwilling to allow Morsy to depart until they added to their midfield options and just over an hour ago they confirmed the signing of James Lea Siliki on loan from Renne.

It seems likely that Cook will hand Morsy the skipper's armband worn so far this season by Lee Evans on what has always appeared a temporary basis.

Early in the window, Morsy began following Town on Twitter leading to speculation that a reunion with Cook might well be on the cards, while the Blues boss name-checked his former skipper when discussing consistency in one of his early Town press conferences.

Defensive midfielder Morsy was a youth player with hometown club Wolves and Port Vale where he made his breakthrough into senior football.

Cook took him to the Spireites in July 2013 and helped them to the League Two title in his first season, before he joined the Latics for a fee of £200,000 in January 2016 prior to the Blues boss taking over at the DW Stadium. Morsy helped Wigan to the League One titles in 2015/16 and under Cook 2017/18.

While a Latic, Morsy spent time on loan at Barnsley and joined Boro in September 2020, signing a three-year deal.

Morsy was shown a straight red card in what’s set to become his final appearance for the Teessiders, Saturday's 1-1 home draw with Blackburn.

That dismissal would see him miss three games, although Boro are appealing.

Photo: Action Images

ringwoodblue added 21:09 - Aug 31 A brilliant signing if it happens. That will be two international signings in one day. Does that mean we can call off games again due to international call-ups?
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19781981twtd added 21:10 - Aug 31 Cook you have now got all the tools now you build a team to get thos wonderful club up where it belongs if you can't do it then sling your hook please get this done
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EricGatesShinpad added 21:14 - Aug 31 I can see a run on Egyptian Pharoh hats...... The final piece in an unbelievable jigsaw..... Ashton is clearly doing knees to chest, but then again so would I if I had a bag of cash like we have currently.....
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chepstowblue added 21:19 - Aug 31 Astonishing that each signing has been labelled 'the best yet'. I'd certainly not consider this one to be the in the top 10. I'm also dubious that its Cook's influence that brings them here, more so a very nice pay packet. There are now no excuses, no more nonsense about 'time to gel'. It would take incredible incompetence to fail with this squad at this level. But it's all very confused, and the hope of a settled side has gone right down the pan. If someone can tell me what the best eleven will be I'll give you my bonus points in the prediction league !

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GiveusaWave added 21:20 - Aug 31 Have we ever had an Egyptian International play for the club before?
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ITFC_Singapore added 21:20 - Aug 31 REFRESH........REFRESH...........REFRESH...............
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Ryorry added 21:20 - Aug 31 LesTibbotsbrokenleg - He sounds just like the kind of midfield "get stuck in" tank we've been missing, and need!
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WimborneBlue added 21:34 - Aug 31 Blimey... If things don't go to plan nobody can blame a lack of support from the owners anymore. When was the last time we could say that! Remarkable number of players that have history with PC. Must be a positive, right..?
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algarvefan added 21:36 - Aug 31 Giveusawave No, not according to Wiki.
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Northstandveteran added 22:33 - Aug 31 Ipswich is a Phaorah way from Egypt. Until he has put pen to paper I think some of us will still be in de-Nile.
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