Stewart Downing signs five-year deal with Middlesbrough
Stewart Downing signs five-year contract with Middlesbrough.
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Tuesday, 26, Feb 2008 03:13
Stewart Downing has put paid to rumours about his future by signing a new five-year contract with Middlesbrough.
Although the winger had more than two years remaining on his previous deal at the Riverside, he has pledged his long-term future to the Teesside club by inking a new contract.
The 23-year-old had been thought likely to leave the club during the January transfer window, with Tottenham Hotspur among the frontrunners for his signature.
Downing's position at Middlesbrough seemed more under threat when a public slanging match erupted between club chairman Steve Gibson and the player's agent Ian Elliott.
But after no move materialised in January, contract talks were reopened earlier this month.
He was thought to be preparing to sign the contract ten days ago, although legal complications meant this was delayed.
However, Downing has finally put pen to paper today, citing the ambition shown by the club in signing Afonso Alves.
"This is where I want to be," he told the club's official website.
"It's my hometown club but I've told them that I didn't want us to stand still. Signing Alves shows how ambitious we are, the fact that the chairman was willing to splash out like that.
"The chairman has proved again just how much he wants this club to go forward."
The England winger denied that he had ever wanted to leave the club and paid tribute to the Riverside fans for their consistent backing.
"I'd like to thank the fans for the support they've given me," he said.
"They could have really got on my back in recent weeks in response to all that was being said. But they've been great.
"Even in recent games I've heard them singing my name which I really appreciated."