Middlesbrough FC

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• Manager:Tony Mowbray

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Ambition key for Downing

16 Feb 2008 - 11:27:40

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Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing says he never wanted to leave the club, having agreed a new five-year contract with the Teessiders.

The 23-year-old England international had been linked with both Spurs and Everton in the January transfer window, but has now pledged his long-term future to his hometown club.

He told Boro's official club website: "This is where I want to be.

"It's my hometown club, but I've told them that I didn't want us to stand still. Signing Afonso Alves shows how ambitious we are, the fact that the chairman was willing to splash out like that.

"The chairman has proved again just how much he wants this club to go forward. To be fair, the chairman and the manager have been spot on about it.

"They've never pressurised me, they've just made it clear that they wanted me to stay. My thoughts were that I wanted to stay as long as we're ambitious.

"Ultimately, it's not just about playing for my hometown club, although that's important, but I want to win something and to do that with Boro would be the best way.

"There's been talk about other clubs but I never wanted out. This is what I've wanted all along. I know it's gone on for some time, but I'm delighted we've finally reached an agreement.

"I'm glad it's all done and I can concentrate on my football because that's what I want to do."