Sverre Nypan moment that Rob Edwards loved has positive implications for Middlesbrough

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Sverre Nypan looks to have quickly eradicated any fears that he would struggle to adapt to English football - with one moment in the recent victory over Sheffield United showing Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards that he’s ‘used to English football already’.

Nypan joined Boro on loan earlier this summer from Manchester City - just a month after he moved to the Etihad from Rosenborg. The 18-year-old had previously been spotted by Boro scouts, who quickly realised that Europe’s elite were already well aware of his star potential.

But when City signed the teenage hotshot and it became apparent that they wanted to loan him out this season, Boro used good relations with City to convince them that a move to Teesside, where he’ll be offered regular first-team football in England, would be a great step for his development.

While Boro prefer permanent signings as part of their model, they’ve always expressed a desire to use the loan market when it makes sense. Nypan, they feel, very much like Ben Doak last season, is taking advantage of that market to sign a quality player that otherwise would have been out of reach for a Championship club.

The one reservation about the young Norwegian might have been his ability to adapt quickly to English football at 18, having only made the move this summer. Boro had of course done their work when scouting to be convinced he would be capable of handling the physical side of the game, and having now made two effective substitute appearances for the club since joining, the early signs are positive.

In particular, Nypan helped change the game decisively for Boro on Saturday when he came on at half-time and played his part in the build-up for the goal that won his side the game. But it was another moment after that, as Boro worked to see out their lead to take all three points, that particularly pleased his new head coach.

Speaking after the Sheffield United win, Edwards said: “I thought Sverre was really good and he was involved in the build-up to the goal. My most pleasing part, other than the goal, was Sverre blocking one in the 18-yard box and then celebrating with a chest pump with Callum Brittain.

“That’s an 18-year-old lad who is quite a flairy player. But to then be celebrating blocks… he’s got used to England already! I love that!”

Nypan is now back in Norway having been called up for the Under-21 national team for games against Denmark and Slovenia over the course of the next week. He'll hope to stay injury free before returning to Teesside where he could be in line to make his first Boro start when Championship action resumes at Preston North End on September 13.

Also on international duty over the next seven days or so are Sammy Silvera (Australia), David Strelec (Slovakia), and Law McCabe (England U20s).

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