Hansen, who joins from NEC Nijmegen, becomes Boro’s fourth signing of the summer, following Alfie Jones, Callum Brittain and Abdoulaye Kante.
The signing is a major and timely boost for Boro, on the back of last night’s disappointing Carabao Cup defeat to Doncaster Rovers.
Hansen has been a leading target throughout the summer but, as was the case with Brittain, had to be patient in their pursuit of the 23-year-old.
Hansen is comfortable playing as a winger or in a central attacking role and is seen as an ideal fit for one of the No.10 positions. Boro are continuing their efforts to strengthen other areas of the squad, including up-front.
RECOMMENDED READING:
Hansen has been on the radar of Boro’s head of recruitment Chris Jones since he first saw him play in the European Under-17 Championships in Dublin seven years ago.
Jones has kept a close eye on Hansen since, with the scouting effort ramped up over the course of the last nine months or so when the forward was identified as a target for the current window. Jones and head of football Kieran Scott have watched Hansen in person on several occasions during that period.
Boss Rob Edwards has talked about the importance of bringing in versatile players, and Hansen has the tools to fit into more than one system.
Hansen’s speed and ball carrying ability are two keys assets that stood out to the recruitment team and Edwards. The forward scored six goals and provided four assists in each of the last two campaigns in the Dutch top tier.
Hansen is comfortable playing across the forward line and is deemed a good fit for one of the No.10 roles, playing off the central striker.
Boro have prioritised versatile players this summer, as outlined by head coach Rob Edwards recently, and Hansen can play either as a natural winger or as a central No.10.
Hansen is a product of the famous Ajax academy and spent 10 years with the Dutch giants before moving to NEC.
He scored 12 goals in 64 appearances for NEC, including one on his debut, and has impressed in Eredivisie over the course of the last two campaigns, catching the eye of several clubs in England. Birmingham City were heavily linked this summer.
Hansen has represented the Netherlands at all age groups and won the Golden Boot at the Under-17 World Cup in 2019.
