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Max Arfsten's 'unique' quality and Kim Hellberg's response on his Middlesbrough position Kim Hellberg discussed Max Arfsten's Middlesbrough arrival for the first time Kim Hellberg has confirmed he will use Max Arfsten in a left-sided role, but says the USA international’s versatility will allow him to be even more flexible in his approach. Arfsten’s role in the Middlesbrough side has been much debated since Boro’s breakthrough last week. It's understood he was the number one target to replace loanee Matt Targett this summer. But he has spent much of the first half of the MLS season operating as a right-sided forward, helping Columbus Crew out where he was needed. Having admitted that he sees himself as a wing-back, Hellberg hinted that will be the role he has in the Boro team too, with his fluid system catering to tactical flexibility and more unconventional or fluid roles. With Hellberg’s press conference ahead of the Carabao Cup clash with Wrexham the first chance to quiz the Boro boss about the most recent signing, he was asked about the role he had earmarked for the USA international. “I know he played left back in a four in the United States,” Hellberg said. “He played for Columbus lately at wing-back first to the left, but then he played wide striker to the right. “So, I think that makes him versatile in many ways. But how I look at him is more along that left side. Then it's also me getting to know him. “Because of the quality with his right foot, he can also help on different positions; help as a right-back maybe in moments. “But where I prepare him, it's to the left. Then if it's as a wing back, as a left back, or all the way up in the line, it's also different how we play each game, and what opponent we face. That's how we do it. But along that left side is the general thought.” Boro are excited to land Arfsten. They first spotted him while scouting Aidan Morris in February 2024 and made attempts to sign him in each of the last two transfer windows. That precedes Hellberg’s arrival at Boro last November. But when the head coach met with recruitment staff ahead of the January transfer window and was first presented Arfsten, he knew immediately he would be an ideal addition for his squad. Hellberg said: “You can see why we have chased him for a long time. He’s a talented player with a lot of qualities, and he’s a good guy who works really hard. “He suits the group in a perfect way. He has a left and a right foot – I don’t think I’ve seen a left-footed player who has as good of a right foot. That’s quite a unique quality. “There are a lot of qualities in him, and I’m looking forward to seeing him. He has a lot of talent. I'm just looking forward to getting to know him even more as a player and a person.” ------------- Get Teesside Live Premium now for just £1 HERE – exclusive Boro news and features, transfer notebooks, comment and analysis from Eric Paylor, plus an ad-lite experience Join our WhatsApp community to get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe. Your information will be hidden, you'll only ever receive messages from the Teesside Live sports team, and you can leave any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'Exit group'. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.