Downing agrees new deal

Winger ends doubts about his future

Last updated: 15th February 2008

Downing agrees new deal

Downing: Agreed to stay

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Stewart Downing has ended the uncertainty surrounding his Middlesbrough future by signing a new five-year contract.

The England winger has been locked in talks with his boyhood club for the past 12 months regarding an extension to his deal.

He still had two years to run on his Riverside contract, but has now committed himself to Boro until the summer of 2013.

His decision will end weeks of doubt about his future on Teesside, with Tottenham Hotspur having been strongly linked with a bid.

Downing had repeatedly called for a resolution to the negotiations, while manager Gareth Southgate was also keen for the matter to be sorted.

Earlier this week, Boro chief executive Keith Lamb expressed his belief that the situation would reach a conclusion within six weeks.

Ambitious

But, ahead of Boro's FA Cup fifth round tie at Sheffield United on Sunday, Downing has handed the club a major boost by accepting a new deal.

The 23-year-old told the club's official website: "This is where I want to be.

"It's my hometown club, but I had told them that I didn't want us to stand still. Signing Alves shows how ambitious we are.

"There's been talk about other clubs, but I never wanted out. This is what I've wanted all along.

"I'd like to thank the fans for the support they have given me.

"They could have really got on my back in recent weeks in response to all that was being said. But they have been great."

Comments (17)

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John Mullally (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

This is fantastic news lets hope the new contract stops all the speculation surrounding him and he can finally focus on creating more competition in the England squad. Good luck to him and let's hope Spurs finally go for a good left wing like Capel or Valente

Posted 12:35 16th February 2008

Kevin Storey (Middlesbrough fan) says...

In Response to Middlesbrough Wilde, I totally agree with all of your sentiments, and it is good to hear you are all still as committed to the Boro Cause. In case you are not putting two and two together Billy, it is Kevin who used to work with Ros. I am still as committed as ever, and make the trip over the Pennines from Cumbria for every home game and this will make the journey even more worthwhile: "Downing beats his man, crosses and Alves scores yet another goal for Boro!" Bring it on!

Posted 11:34 16th February 2008

Carl Jacobs says...

Well done to the management team at 'Boro for the negotiations and securing the signiture. Well done to Stewey for his part and committment to the club. Now he has to prove to the team and everybody concerned with the club, the faith invested in him is worth it. That he is a great homegrown talent is not under discussion for me. There is only one place that matters - on the pitch. Stop the excuses, deliver, Stewey and all is well, moan and your days are numbered.

Posted 10:10 16th February 2008

William Wilde (Middlesbrough fan) says...

Boro Boy Stays. What Great News, A Big Thank You To Stewy, Steve Gibson ( BEST CHAIRMAN IN PREM LEAGUE ) Gareth and Keith Lamb . Boro never cease to amaze me . thats why we are still Boro FANS . GOOD LUCK BORO IN FA CUP and PREM LEAGUE. BILLY,ROS,CLAIRE and JAMES. Coulby Newham,Middlesbrough

Posted 22:39 15th February 2008

Jack Langley (Middlesbrough fan) says...

is there anything gibson cant do? well done boro for getting this contract mess sorted out,there's no point buying a world class striker if he does not get the delivery.

Posted 22:18 15th February 2008

Boro Sniper (Middlesbrough fan) says...

Glad Stewy has decided to stay for his "Boyhood team" I guess the deal must have been right for him, however he needs to get down the wing more and take people on he has the ability! Let win something for the BORO! must be the attitude

Posted 19:25 15th February 2008

Micky Johnson (Newcastle United fan) says...

People forget that signing a new contract doesn't mean the player can't be sold. A long term contract tends to mean the player's asking price is increased. 8 mil to say 12 mil will be the end result I reckon. Let's face it.....12 mil can buy a much better left sided player. Try adding a bit of flare to the side. Matias Fernandez. (still can't believe no English teams have took this kid on)

Posted 19:05 15th February 2008

Trevor Garrens says...

Those who doubt Stewart Downing's commitment to Middlesbrough need to have a real hard think, I grew up with Stewart and played football with him on many occasions through my youth. He is an outstanding talent that simply needs a stronger team around him so he can show just how good he is. Well done getting Alves, now Stewy actually has somebody to finish of his hard work for him. Boro all the way 2008/9 season.

Posted 18:59 15th February 2008

Jonathan Tibbett (Middlesbrough fan) says...

Outstanding news for boro about stewy, well done to all involved. Stewy will provide a very goal hungry Alves with the quality he wants.

Posted 18:53 15th February 2008

Ian Barker (Middlesbrough fan) says...

In response to Martin Perry. You are talking nonsense. Stewart Downing is one of the best players at the club, to say that Adam Johnson is on a par is ridiculous. We don't want to keep bringing players through and selling them because there is someone else coming through. We need to play our strongest team now and reap the benefits. This signing is bigger than Alves in my opinion, you need to be able to deliver in the box, and Stewy is one of the best in the premiership at doing this.

Posted 17:39 15th February 2008

Darren Rudd (Middlesbrough fan) says...

Excellent news for Middlesbrough!! We have signed a class striker and secured the person who will be assisting him!!!! Sell Downing and play Johnson? You are joking!!! Johnson is nowhere near strong enough for the Premiership yet! Thankyou Gibbo, Gareth and Stewy!

Posted 17:24 15th February 2008

Phillip Crossman says...

Big Deal - Downing signs a new deal... personally after the comments from his agent, if I was Steve Gibson I would have let him rot in the reserves for the next 2 and a half years, and asked him 'Which club he is going to play for now ?'. Initially, when he entered the football scene , he did not set anything on fire . We all know he was shipped out to Sunderland before returning to Boro and then he looked promising. However, it seems he is a one trick pony , with no ideas now. Admittedly he delivers the odd decent cross , but we should have let him go to Spurs for ¿8-10 million, as they appear to be snapping up all the over-inflated priced average players out there. Anyway, we could be Wembley bound in May, if we stay clear of the Big Guns in the FA Cup....

Posted 17:13 15th February 2008

Martin Perry (Middlesbrough fan) says...

i think we should have sold him, not because i think he is not a great talent but i do think he has given the boro all he can. i would have got the money brought though adam johnson of whom im told in time will prove to be a greater player alround. i have also been told there is another young left sided winger coming through as well so this maybe a natural progression for the club. i say sell him.

Posted 16:44 15th February 2008

Daniel Reeve (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

This is great news.......for Tottenham

Posted 16:23 15th February 2008

Dale Allison (Middlesbrough fan) says...

Well done Boro and well done Stewey. This shows that the club are ambitious and if one of England's best left wingers wants to stay with us then it shows that the club is going in the right direction. Heres to a good finish to this season (FA cup final maybe) Ready for a blinding next season (I'm licking my lips already at the prospects) Up the Boro

Posted 15:44 15th February 2008

Neil Warren (Middlesbrough fan) says...

This is excellent news, what was the point in spending ¿13M on a striker if he doesn't have the service? At least now that Downing has committed himself to the club, he can now continue to show the Boro fans what we know he can do!! I'm also pretty sure he'll be wanting to get back in the England Squad and the only way he can do this is by his performances on the pitch, that can only be good news for us boro fans!!

Posted 15:26 15th February 2008

John Burrows says...

To be honest I think that downing could have gone yes every now and then he might show a bit of talent but we need the commitment that he will play with his heart every match which i dont feel that he always shows. It will steady the boat for a while but is it a ploy to try and get more money for him in a year or twos time? Who knows! He will probably join woody next summer

Posted 14:36 15th February 2008
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