Woodgate swayed by Southgate

Jonathan Woodgate has shed light on why he chose to move to Middlesbrough..

The 26-year-old defender tied up a season-long loan move from Real Madrid last week, but he had several other options open to him.

Former club Newcastle were keen to bring him back to St James' Park but Woodgate has insisted that his mind was made up as soon as he listened to Southgate's vision for Boro.

"I spoke to Newcastle as well. I could have gone to other clubs in Spain but I just wanted to come back to the North East of England," he told the Sunday People.

"It's not a surprise to me that I am at Middlesbrough and not Newcastle. Middlesbrough are a big club, the manager is fantastic and the club is ambitious. We have just bought Robert Huth as well.

"Gareth is a nice bloke. You can talk to him. He doesn't have an ego.

"He was the decisive factor in me coming. He was spot on and so was the chairman (Steve Gibson). They were brilliant when I met them."

However, Woodgate is still looking to return to Madrid next summer, adding: "Like any footballer who's got ambition I want to play for the biggest club in the world. I've got unfinished business there."

During his time at Real Woodgate has seen up close what David Beckham is capable of, and he has backed the midfielder to win back his place in the England squad.

Beckham relinquished the England captaincy following the World Cup and has subsequently been left out of new boss Steve McClaren's first two squads.

However Woodgate believes that he is worth a place in the national team.

"David is still a fantastic player. He'll keep on playing as hard as he can to get back in the squad," he said.

"He's one of the best players in the country - in the top 23 for sure.

"He's brilliant, a nice bloke who works hard."