According to HITC Sport, Conor Ripley is on the verge of agreeing a new contract with Middlesbrough, ahead of a move away from the club.
Ripley has entered the final 12-months of his contract at the Riverside Stadium, but Boro are set to hand the goalkeeper fresh terms to secure his long-term future.
It is believed that the 24-year-old’s new deal will run until the summer of 2019.
Garry Monk has moved to sign Darren Randolph earlier this summer, and also has Dimi Konstantopoulos within his squad, which is limiting Ripley’s first-team opportunities.
The goalkeeper looks set for his fifth loan spell away from Boro after he agrees a new deal, with Burton Albion keen to benefit from the 24-year-old’s service.
Having spent time with Oxford United, Bradford City and Motherwell earlier in his career, it was last season that Ripley really came of age, during a spell in League One with Oldham Athletic.
During his time at Boundary Park, Ripley made 54 appearances, including 46 in League One, meaning he was ever-present for the Latics.
From those 46 appearances, Ripley managed to keep 18 clean sheets, standing out as one of the division’s top goalkeepers, despite Oldham fighting relegation for much of the season.
So far, Ripley has made just three senior appearances for Middlesbrough.
The Verdict
This is an excellent move by Middlesbrough, who are on the verge of securing the future of one of English football’s most promising goalkeepers.
Ripley is unlikely to feature for Boro in the next year, which makes his proposed loan move to Burton seem a great option.
Burton are getting their hands on an excellent young goalkeeper, whilst Boro will benefit from his latest loan spell in years to come, when he will surely be challenging to be their number one.
Middlesbrough fans… Let us know your thoughts!