Middlesbrough have signed 22-year-old midfielder Rokas Pukstas from Croatian side Hajduk Split, where he spent four years in the first team. During his time there, he scored 27 goals and registered 10 assists in 142 games.
Pukstas has never played domestic football outside of Croatia, making his move to English football a significant step in his career.
Strengths: Headers and Late Arrivals
Croatian football journalist Lovre Nikolac highlighted Pukstas' main qualities in an interview with BBC Radio Tees. His primary strength is arriving late in the box to provide a goal threat.
"He is very good arriving late and as soon as he steps on the pitch, as soon as there's an aerial duel, he wins it," Nikolac said.
"He can jump high. He's very strong and his play with headers is amazing. If there's one thing that he cannot improve on, I think it's that. He arrives late and picks up the scraps sometimes."
Work Rate and Stamina
Nikolac praised Pukstas' exceptional work rate and stamina — qualities that align with Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg's demands from his players.
"Obviously we can talk about the goals, but it's what he does off the ball," Nikolac said. "He just runs. There's no other way to put it. He never stops and he does everything that's needed from him. And he's box to box, so up and down the pitch the whole game and never looks tired."
Areas for Development
Nikolac identified passing ability and technical game as areas where Pukstas can improve.
"He's not great at passing, but everything else he's got spot on. Defending, reading the game, late arrivals, scoring goals," Nikolac said.
"But if he can improve that, then you have a whole player, a true midfielder. You can use him wherever you want. He has the physicality to do anything."
Pukstas is a USA under-23 international.
