Middlesbrough FC

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• Founded:1876
• Manager:Tony Mowbray

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Boro challenged by Downing

26 Jul 2008 - 17:18:45

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Middlesbrough's England winger Stewart Downing has admitted that he will leave the club in the future if they do not become a major Premier League force.

The 24-year-old has been linked with most of the Premier League's bigger clubs during his time at the Riverside, but Downing insists he will only move on to further his career.

Downing told The Gazette: "It is unsettling when you are younger, definitely. Obviously if there are big clubs interested in you it is flattering and sometimes you are tempted.

"But at the moment I'm focused on doing my best for Middlesbrough."

"If we become a top team, a Champions League team, then there would be no question about going.

"But if we don't eventually make that step, then one day I might have to make that decision. It's an important couple of years for me.

"It might be good one day to do that, maybe move on and try something different, I think every player likes to try something new in their career and I'm no different.

"There are hardly any players now who stay at just one club throughout their career."

Downing has scored 20 goals in 191 appearances for the Teessiders to date, as well as winning 18 caps for England.