Middlesbrough are running the rule over a former West Ham prospect once labelled a ‘wonderkid’. Daniel Rigge left West Ham this summer and is currently on trial at Boro, as he looks to earn a contract on Teesside. To help his case, he featured in Monday’s 10-0 thrashing of Hartlepool United in the National League Cup, setting up one of the first half goals. It’s not certain yet how long Rigge will remain at Boro, and whether or not he is offered a contract. But if he did, he would be just the latest in a long line of talents from the capital who Boro have picked up after leaving other clubs. Perhaps most successfully, Djed Spence was another who came to Boro after struggling for his breakthrough in the capital. He went on to be sold to Tottenham in a deal eventually worth £20m, and Boro will profit slightly more this summer if his impending move to Inter Milan is completed. Rigge, though, is not from London. Instead, the 20-year-old attacking midfielder was born in Stockport and rose through the Manchester City academy ranks. Released at 16, but only after helping them win the U16s league, interest in him was high. Liverpool were said to have been among a number of clubs to offer him a trial that summer. At the time, he chose West Ham, with the Sun describing the England U16 international as a ‘wonderkid’ in their coverage of the move. He did a lot in his first two years with the Hammers to justify the tag too. In his first season, aged still just 16, he was part of the U18 side that won the prestigious FA Youth Cup and the Premier League South title. A year later he became a regular in that side, contributing 19 goal involvements (ten goals and nine assists) in 21 appearances. He also won the league’s Goal of the Season award with a long-range strike that displayed his technical ability. Of his style of play, he once told the West Ham club website: “I like to get on the ball and create things. When I play, I’m a risk-taker. I don’t take the easy option. My game is very technical. I have a creative pass. I'm always looking for through balls, and have an eye for a goal or two as well.” Rigge’s time at West Ham came to end this summer after a difficult 24 months. Stepping up from 18s to 21s, the midfielder has started only six games in the last two seasons. It’s unclear, but would appear to be injury-related, with the starlet - who attracted interest from Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United before signing his first professional contract at West Ham in 2024 - rarely even on the bench. He was, however, spotted training with the first team in January 2025. Boro are currently 5th in the Championship, with 72 points from 42 games, and are 14 points behind leaders Coventry. They have scored 62 goals and conceded 42 this season, with their next fixture against Birmingham on February 20, 2027.