Middlesbrough FC news and transfer rumours: West Ham linked with ex-Sunderland flanker, Boro plan cup rerun plus Leeds man discusses move

The surprising claim was made by the Mirror, just a week after the teenager penned a two-year deal at the Riverside.

Kokolo, 19, joined Boro from North East neighbours Sunderland where his contract was set to expire in the summer.

The left-sided player, who can play at either full-back or on the wing, joined the Black Cats from Monaco and has been training with Boro’s under-23 side.

Club to show Carling Cup triumph

With no football set to be played until at least April 30, Boro are re-living some of the club’s greatest matches.

On Wednesday night, Boro streamed their memorable 2006 UEFA quarter-final against Basel on their YouTube channel, when many fans tuned in for the rerun.

This Sunday at 2pm, the club plan to show the 2004 Carling Cup final against Bolton and post updates on their Twitter page using the hashtag #BoroWatchalong.

Orta reveals why he joined Leeds

Finally, Middlesbrough’s former head of recruitment Victor Orta says Leeds’ passionate fan base was one of the reasons he joined the club.

Orta arrived at Boro in December 2015, when Aitor Karanka was in charge, but left Teesside two and a half years later following the club’s relegation from the Premier League.

The Spaniard’s departure came two months after Karanka’s sacking, and Orta was then appointed Leeds’ director of football.

In an interview with our sister title the Yorkshire Evening Post, Orta discussed his decision to move to Elland Road.

“When I arrive at Leeds, I felt a Latin club behind Leeds, fans who take this club like a religion,” he said.

“But that was part of my decision, when I chose Leeds. I had two options to go back to Spain but I knew the weight of the history of football at Leeds United and I always said if I can, I want to work in clubs with history, with passion.

“For me, I chose Leeds for this reason.”