Matt Davidson Rider Crooks (born 20 January 1994) is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for club Middlesbrough. Career Huddersfield Town He first joined Huddersfield Town academy in 2009, after a spell at the Manchester United Academy and signed his first professional contract at the club. In October 2010, he travelled with the Town squad for their League One match against Plymouth Argyle, and a few days later, he was named on the bench in their FA Cup match against Cambridge United. Ahead of the 2011–12 season, Crooks was among other youth players to be expected to be loaned out to gain first team experience. Nevertheless, in November, Crooks signed his first professional contract with the club, until 2014. It was announced on 9 February 2012 that Crooks was nominated for League One Apprentice of the Year, however, he ultimately lost it out to Charlton Athletic's Jordan Cousins. In March 2012, it announced that Crooks would be joining Halifax Town on a one-month loan. While at Halifax Town, Crooks scored his first professional goal in a 4–0 win over Histon. That soon earned him a loan extension until the end of the season. Crooks was even allowed to play for the club's promotion push. For the following season, 2012–13, Crooks was given number 36 shirt, however, he failed to make an appearance for the first-team. On 7 December 2012, Crooks, along with James Burke, joined Radcliffe Borough on loan until mid-January. Crooks made an impressive display at the club, including when he scored a brace against Clitheroe. Two days later, Crooks made his return to Huddersfield Town. After returning to Huddersfield Town, Crooks remained playing in the club's reserve. However, Crooks sustained an ankle injury during a development match in early October. Following a surgery, it was announced that Crooks would be on the sideline for two months. Following his return in mid-February, Crooks was praised for his return from injury and playing as a central defence. At the end of the 2013–14 season, Crooks was offered a new contract by the club. Ahead of the 2014–15 season, Crooks switched number shirt from thirty-six to twenty-two after Ed Wilczynski took over Crook's first number and made an impressive display as a centre back in the pre-season friendly that convinced Mark Robins to use him. After years playing at the reserve and be loaned out twice at the time,