McMahon signs new Boro deal

McMahon: Delighted with new deal

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Tony McMahon has pledged his future to Middlesbrough by signing a new three-year contract.

The full-back's deal was due to expire in the summer and his long-term future at the Riverside appeared to be in question earlier in the season.

He spent three months on loan at Sheffield Wednesday and was wanted by fellow Championship side Burnley during the January transfer window.

However, McMahon has fought his way into the Boro team and the locally produced 23-year-old has his sights on becoming the club's captain.

Delighted

"I'm delighted to sign a new deal with Boro," McMahon told the club's official website. "It's exactly what I wanted. Even when I went on loan to Sheffield Wednesday earlier this season I always said I wanted to come back to Middlesbrough.

"Why would I want to leave? I've been through a lot, but the club always stood by me. Now I've got aims that I want to achieve here.

"There's no reason why I can't achieve things with my hometown club. I want to captain the team and I want to win something."

Boro boss Gareth Southgate believes McMahon deserves the new deal and praised the right-back's character in forcing his way back into his plans.

Southgate said: "Tony's had a long battle back from two very serious injuries and he's got himself back in the first-team squad.

"He warrants a new contract on what he has achieved in recent months.

"There are still big challenges ahead for him to try and force his way into the team regularly, but he has shown tremendous character to come back from the injuries and show people that he is able to play at this level. His character is one of his biggest assets."