Pogatetz opens contract talks

Boro defender keen to extend current deal

By James Dall   Last updated: 24th July 2008

Emanuel Pogatetz Middlesbrough

Pogatetz: Keen to commit

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Middlesbrough defender Emanuel Pogatetz has revealed he has held talks with the club over extending his stay at the Riverside Stadium.

Pogatetz's displays on Teesside have steadily improved since his switch from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen in 2005, with the Austrian largely impressive last term.

The 25-year-old has two years remaining on his current deal, but is hopeful of putting pen-to-paper on a longer contract.

"We have been talking about it (a contract) for a short period now," Pogatetz told the Evening Gazette.

"I have said that I really want to be here as long as possible and there are signals from the club that they want to keep me here, so I think we will reach an agreement. I don't know when, but it looks very good. There's no pressure.

"I still have two more years to go and I'm very confident I can extend my contract and be here as long as possible.

"There is no rush, we're in talks and that's a good sign. Like I said, the club wants to extend my contract, I want to be here, so I'm sure we will reach an agreement at some point."