Digard hopeful of Nice stay

Frenchman keen to make permanent switch from Riverside

Last updated: 23rd January 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Digard hopeful of Nice stay

Digard: Keen for France move

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Middlesbrough midfielder Didier Digard admits he is hoping to stay at loan club Nice when his current deal expires in the summer.

The Frenchman made the six-month loan switch to the Ligue 1 outfit earlier in January, with the option of a permanent deal at the end of the season.

The 23-year-old says he has learned a lot during his injury-burdened time on Teesside but admits he is now keen to earn a deal back in his home country.

"It had become difficult for me," Digard told the Evening Gazette.

"The first year went well on a personal level and I was a regular until my injury in February.

Excellent experience

"Unfortunately we fell into the second division, then the manager changed.

"With the reduction of its budget, the club had to make choices and try to part with some players.

"For me, it was necessary to leave to have the chance to play, for Boro that allowed them to save money, therefore I think that everybody got something out of it.

"I have learnt a lot, I played against the great teams and the best players in the world therefore it was an excellent experience."

Digard moved to the Riverside Stadium from Paris St Germain in June 2008 - after being signed for £4million by then-manager Gareth Southgate.

Reports from France suggest Nice would be willing to pay 6million euros for the midfielder's services if they decide to make his deal permanent in the summer.

Promising future

Despite currently sitting in the lower half of the French top-flight, Digard believes the Ligue 1 side have a promising future - and that is something he is keen to be part of.

"I am here to work hard for six months and hope to convince everybody in that period to keep me after that," said the former France Under-21 captain.

"I felt a real desire to come here because of the coach, our discussions went very well.

"I have seen a lot of matches on the TV, I think that Nice have a good team and that they deserve better than their current position.

"I know the style of the team and think I am able to bring more to it."