On 1 February 2016, Rhodes signed for Championship club Middlesbrough, on a four-and-a-half-year deal, for an undisclosed fee. At the club, he was linked up with his uncle, assistant manager Steve Agnew. The signing of Rhodes led to the departure of fellow striker, Kike, as the latter player felt that he would not be able to make as much first team appearances, due to the fact with the club having Rhodes and David Nugent as strikers. He was given the number 9 shirt, previously worn by Kike.