Aidan Morris shows what he's capable of as he returns to action ahead of Middlesbrough move

Aidan Morris offered Middlesbrough a preview of what they can expect next season when he completes his impending move to the Riverside, by providing an assist on his return to the Columbus Crew side on Wednesday evening.

After making a cameo sub appearance in the recent MLS victory over New York City, he returned to the starting line-up against Lionel Messi's Inter Miami. Though Columbus Crew lost the game 2-1, Morris played the full 90 minutes and provided a wonderful assist for the goal, which was described by the official MLS social media accounts as 'on a dime'.

Morris is expected to complete a move to Boro at some point this summer after the two clubs agreed a fee, though the exact date that the deal will be completed is not yet known. He left the USA under-23 training camp recently and missed the final warm-up friendly against Japan ahead of this summer's Olympic Games in Paris in order to travel to Teesside and complete the formalities of the deal.

READ MORE: Boro have already been told what 'tough character' transfer target will bring to promotion push

However, Boro have been happy to adhere to Columbus Crew's requests to delay the move, with Michael Carrick's squad not back at Rockliffe for the start of pre-season until Monday. There was talk of Columbus wishing to give their academy graduate a farewell game and their first home game since the deal will come on Saturday evening against Sporting Kansas City. Supporter groups are organising an eighth-minute tribute to the 22-year-old at the game, coinciding with the number he wears for the MLS outfit.

At this stage, it's not known exactly when Morris will be officially a Boro player, but Columbus Crew appear to have moved quickly in replacing him. They have confirmed the signing of Aziel Jackson from St. Louis City, in a move that will be completed when the MLS transfer window opens on July 18.

It's also not yet known how much, if any, of Boro's pre-season that Morris will be able to take part in, with the expectation that he will be named in the USA Olympics Squad. The Olympics take place in Paris between July 22 and August 7 - one week before Boro's Championship opener. Countries must name their final squads by next Sunday (June 30).

WATCH: Aidan Morris offers Boro a glimpse of his quality with assist on Columbus Crew return

Morris has been heavily scouted by Boro over the last 18 months and, a rising star in the USA, there is a real belief at Boro that he can arrive in England and make an immediate impact in the Championship. Said to be tenacious and energetic out-of-position, he proved against Inter Miami this week that he has plenty of technical ability on the ball too.

In the same round of fixtures, former Boro favourite Matt Crooks scored his first MLS goal for Real Salt Lake City in a 4-3 victory over Kansas City.