Matthew Hoppe had been a spectator for most of his time with English Football League Championship side Middlesbrough, but the American forward now has a major opportunity to spark his future with a positive loan spell away from Teesside.

Hoppe has joined Scottish Premiership club Hibernian on loan for the remainder of the league season, both clubs announced Tuesday. The U.S. men’s national team forward is fresh off of international duty with Anthony Hudson’s squad and will head to Edinburgh for this weekend’s showdown with St. Mirren.

“We’re delighted to add Matthew to the group as he’s someone that’ll add extra quality in the final third,” Hibs manager Lee Johnson said in a club interview. “He’s a talented player that can play in all three positions across our front-line and someone that joins with good experience being a full U.S. international and that has played regularly in the Bundesliga.

“We look forward to working with him and welcome him to the Club,” Johnson said.

Hoppe, 21, joined Middlesbrough in August 2022, but has struggled for a consistent role in Michael Carrick’s squad. The California native made six appearances for the English second-tier squad, while also scoring five goals in five appearances for Middlesbrough’s Under-23 team.

Hoppe broke onto the scene with six goals for Bundesliga side Schalke from Nov. 2020-Aug 2021, before moving to Mallorca following Schalke’s relegation. However, his move to La Liga did not lead to more playing time, as Hoppe only appeared in seven matches for the Spanish club.

Hoppe has earned eight caps for the USMNT to date, scoring one goal in the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup.

Hibernian’s 1-1 draw with Ross County on Tuesday moved the Scottish club to fifth place in the league standings. Hibs has only two league matches in February, Saturday’s trip to St. Mirren before a Feb. 18th home match vs. Kilmarnock.