Cardiff City frontman Uche Ikpeazu has done everything right since moving to the Welsh capital. He has been wholehearted, endeared himself to the Bluebirds faithful and scored a couple of crucial goals during his time here.
It has proved to be a shrewd deadline day move from Steve Morison, who had sounded out Middlesbrough earlier in the window about a potential move for the imposing 27-year-old forward. Ikpeazu has netted more during his time with Cardiff than he did during his half-season on Teesside.
But all the signs seem to point to him not being in Chris Wilder's plans once again next season. Would Cardiff be interested in having him back next term? It certainly can't be discounted, especially if he has a storming back end to the campaign.
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So just how viable would that be? And what would Boro's preference be? We sought the expert insight of our man on Teesside, Dominic Shaw , for the inside track on Ikpeazu and the Riverside club's plan for him...
Q. Have you been keeping an eye on Uche's progress at Cardiff? What have you made of it?
Dominic Shaw : I was delighted to see him get off to that flying start with the goal at Barnsley. Ikpeazu wasn't at Boro for very long but quickly established himself as a real favourite on Teesside thanks to his whole-hearted approach and the fact he plays with a smile on his face.
Given Cardiff made it clear Ikpeazu was a target early in January, I did expect him start a few more games, but then I know what Jordan Hugill is all about as a striker thanks to the Teessider's stint at Boro. I can't imagine there are many Championship centre-halves who enjoy playing against either!
Q. What went wrong for him at Boro? Seemed to be bombed out of the squad pretty quickly under Wilder?
DS : It was simply a case of Ikpeazu not being the right fit for the way Wilder wants to play at Boro. Fair play to Wilder, he was up-front and honest with Ikpeazu from the off. He spoke to the striker and told him it was nothing personal at all - he praised the striker's attitude at every opportunity - but said if Ikpeazu stayed at Boro chances would be hard to come by.
He wasn't bombed out of the squad under Wilder. In fact, he played eight times, though mainly as a late substitute. He started in the cup at Mansfield and scored a stunner in what proved to be his last start.
Signing strikers was always going to be a priority for Wilder in January and the boss made the rare move of coming into a press conference early in January and listing the players who were available to leave, Ikpeazu being one of them.
Q. Do you think there is a future for him there, given Wilder clearly hasn't taken to him?
DS : I don't think so. It's nothing personal, it's just Ikpeazu doesn't fit the bill in terms of what Wilder is looking for in a striker. Ikpeazu was signed by Neil Warnock, who wanted a powerful frontman to lead the line alone.
Wilder, on the other hand, prefers two dynamic forwards. In January he signed Folarin Balogun and Aaron Connolly, both the opposite to Ikpeazu in their approach. He was available to leave on a permanent deal in January and there's nothing to suggest that stance will have changed come the summer.
Q. Would Boro be looking to sell him? If so, what sort of asking price do you think they would want? Or would they even entertain another loan away?
DS : A permanent deal would be Boro's summer preference. That was what they wanted in January, only making a late U-turn on sanctioning a loan move in the final hours of the window.
It's hard to be sure of an asking price but while Ikpeazu's year at Boro hasn't gone to plan, he's still likely to be in-demand come the summer. He's experienced at this level now, a real handful but there's more to his game than his power. He's got an eye for goal. And his attitude and approach is fantastic.
Q. Given it all seems to have gone positively with Cardiff, if they wanted him back in some capacity next season would Boro be keen to get a deal done?
DS : Definitely. As I say, a permanent deal would be the preference. Wilder is at Boro for the long-term and Ikpeazu doesn't feature in his plans, so there's nothing for Boro to gain from a loan. He's a popular figure on Teesside. The Boro fans took to him immediately and will wish him well regardless of where he ends up in the summer.
