Middlesborough has officially confirmed the signing of Stewart Downing from West Ham for an undisclosed fee believed to be £5m.
Downing, who is a product of the Boro Academy, completed his move on Thursday evening, signing a four-year contract, and is flying out to link up with Aitor Karanka’s squad in Marbella.
Downing departed Middlesborough in 2009 for £12m to join Aston Villa and two years later, he joined Liverpool for £20m. He joined West Ham in 2013 for £5m and made 69 Premier League appearances for the Hammers.
Boro Head Coach Aitor Karanka was delighted to complete the signing of the player and he said: “It’s an amazing signing for us. He’s more than just a player.
“Nobody expected him to come here, but he wants to be here, and is completely committed to the club and the team. He is a very good person and I’m excited to work with him.”
I wish him well and as good a deal as he’s getting admire his love for his hometown team. I think in bursts he was a good player for us but is now in the past I’m sure Slav will replace him and the world won’t end due to his departure.
Agree. He’s been a decent servant for us. I think Allardyce shafted him last season by placing him on the wing to make way for Nolan, so I don’t blame him for wanting a fresh challenge somewhere where he’ll be the top man. The fact that it’s his hometown club adds a bit of romance to it. Good luck Mr Downing – you’ll be welcomed back when you get Middlesbrough promoted.
Good luck Stewie.Back at his hometown club,i think we have conducted ourselves really well in this.Havnt stood in his way when it is clearly something he wanted.Well done to the club,best wishes to Stewart.
Downings gone,cash in the bin.He got what he wanted,we got 5 large for a guy heading into the latter part of his career.Seems fine for all concerned.So good luck stewart in the championship 😉
He did well for us. One of our better players but to sell him for the same as we bought him for, and with him being two years older, is a great deal for us. We were good for him too. He was Unappreciated as a winger at Liverpool. We gave him the opportunity to discover he plays better in the middle at the tip of a diamond than he does on the wing. He got a call up for England on the back of it. weve now got payet for that position and payer is a better player. Downing has gone home to where it all started for him. Can’t blame him. It’s like joe Cole coming home to us for them. Good luck to him.
I’m Assuming we would only have let him go if we had a replacement in the pipeline. don’t Consider Payet his replacement more an upgrade and competition for places. He served us well and never complained even though spent most of 2nd half of season out of his best position. good luck Stewart and thanks for your sevice.
Good Luck to him, £5m more into the pot for a striker. Don’t waste it on second rate untried sub from Italy. Go for it big time.. COYI
Completely agree essex spend the money on a proven goal machine, Remy or Austin or anyone that can score 20 goals a season not a 1 in 4 merchant a la Carlton. Last night is proof we need clinical finishers.
Good deal for us good deal for him,
Zarate is doing alright in the hole where downing played last year,
More worried about Noble and Alfitano who look just capable of holding a place on the bench.
I liked him a lot and he suffered after he was dragged unceremoniously from the tip of the diamond and dumped out of position last season, we all know how his form suffered along with the rest of the team – he must have been devastated
Good luck to him
Yep,good luck Stewart.He was really good for a few months last season,is why he got recalled for England.Then it all went pear-shaped when the traffic cone came back.Ridiculous decision!