Rokas Pukstas signed for Middlesbrough earlier this week
Rokas Pukstas signs for Middlesbrough
Rokas Pukstas signs for Middlesbrough(Image: Middlesbrough FC)
Kim Hellberg believes new signing Rokas Pukstas can bring some Hayden Hackney-like qualities to the Middlesbrough team, albeit from higher up the pitch.
Pukstas joined Boro from Hajduk Split earlier in the week. He gained a work visa in time to be on the bench at Burnley on Wednesday evening, as Boro drew 1-1.
While he didn’t come on to make his Boro debut, there is excitement to add the 22-year-old American, who it’s felt can offer something a bit different in Hellberg’s side, particularly with his ability to break into the box and score goals.
Offering his perspective of what he feels Pukstas can offer, Hellberg said: “Rokas can give us a lot of things. He has played a lot of games, so physically he is more than ready to go. He wants to learn and he wants to develop - football is everything to him.
“He's good on the ball, he can drive the ball in tight spaces, he’s good at heading the ball, and he’s good at getting himself into the box and scoring goals.
“It's a good addition for us from a central position who can drive the ball with high pace and play a lot of games. He is similar to Hayden, but maybe a little bit higher up on the pitch.
“There are similar qualities in how mobile he is and good at driving the ball forward with a lot of pace. It’s just Hayden did that from a lower starting position whereas Rokas wants to be higher up the pitch.”
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Pukstas becomes the fourth American in the Boro team, joining Aidan Morris and fellow summer signings Sebastian Berhalter and Max Arfsten at the club.
Having left the USA aged 16 to join Hajduk Split, he doesn’t have the same connection the other three have with one another. Nevertheless, Hellberg is certain they’ll help him feel quickly at home on Teesside.
Hellberg said: “Rokas has been living in Croatia for, I think, six years. He moved early, so I don't think he has the same connection with other ones that know each other from an earlier stage of their careers.
“But, of course, it helps with the language, and it also brings a togetherness from them - they help each other in that, so I think that's good.”
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