Surprise return to the Riverside on the cards for defender Engel

LUKAS Engel looks set for a surprise return to Middlesbrough after his loan spell at FC Cincinnati.

- By CRAIG JOHNS Football writer

Lukas Engel in action for FC Cincinnati

The defender spent the 2025 MLS season on loan in Ohio. Though the initial deal included a purchase option, Engel now looks set to return to Boro where, given the current injury crisis in defence, he will be offered an opportunity to impress new boss Kim Hellberg.

The Danish fullback had expected that his MLS loan would signal the end of his time at Boro after 18 months on Teesside. However, with the club's defensive injury crisis as it currently is, and with Engel impressing during his time Stateside, Hellberg is set to hand the 26-year-old an opportunity.

His return comes after an exclusive interview with The Gazette back in March, as he reflected on his time at the club, and the ups and downs, following his move to Cincinnati. With Engel now set to return, we thought we'd revisit some of the interesting aspects of our conversation, starting with his overall reflections on his time at Boro.

"It was a time of ups and downs," he said. "It's no secret that I had a really tough start, but I fought my way back into the team. When I've been reflecting, especially in the summer after the first season, I was quite happy with how I managed to fight back from that start.