Middlesbrough are poised to complete the signing of highly-rated Ghanaian forward Hinneh Lord Listowell, with the deal set to be finalised once his visa application is approved.
The 18-year-old attacker will initially link up with Boro’s Under-21 side, having arrived from Ghana Premier League giants Asante Kotoko, where he has enjoyed a rapid rise this season.
Listowell joined Kotoko in the summer and quickly broke into the club’s first-team setup, making appearances in both the Ghana Premier League and the CAF Confederation Cup, Africa’s equivalent of the UEFA Europa League.
Boro’s Long-Term Interest Pays Off
A product of the Samba Stars Academy in Ghana — which is part-owned by former West Ham United striker Michail Antonio — Listowell has been on Middlesbrough’s radar for some time.
The young forward previously spent two trial spells at Rockliffe last season, impressing the club’s recruitment staff despite no immediate move materialising at the time. Boro continued to monitor his development closely after his return to Ghana, a strategy that has now led to a permanent move.
It is understood that head of recruitment Chris Jones and head of academy recruitment Martin Carter both travelled to watch Listowell in action before approving the decision to bring him to Teesside.
Highly Rated Attacker With Premier League Experience
In addition to Middlesbrough’s interest, Listowell has also previously had a trial with Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers, underlining his growing reputation.
Samba Stars Academy describe him as a player with “exceptional ball control, vision on the field, and a relentless work rate.” Those qualities were evident during his training sessions at Rockliffe, where he impressed with his pace, direct running, and fearless approach in one-on-one situations.
Next Steps at Rockliffe
Once his visa is processed, Listowell is expected to begin full training with Middlesbrough and will initially feature under Mark Tinkler’s Under-21 squad, as the club carefully manages his transition to English football.
