Downing renews contract
Middlesbrough midfielder Stewart Downing has recently signed a new 5-year contract with his club. The 23 year old signed a new contract even though 2 years still remain in his current one. He was known to be linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspurs during the January transfer window.
Gareth Southgate feared that Downing might leave his home-town club in search of glory in European competitions. His decision to stay in Middlebrough is a huge boost in confidence for his manager.
Last week he revealed that the arrival of £12m striker Alfonso Alvez has changed his decision to stay at the club. “I had told the club I didn’t want to stand still. Signing Alves shows how ambitious we are,” he said. “This is where I want to be. The chairman [Steve Gibson] has proved again just how much he wants this club to go forward.”
