Former Hammer hangs up his boots

Former Hammer Stewart Downing has brought his 20-year professional career to a close after 725 club appearances with the 37-year-old capped 35 times by England.

He most recently spent a two-year spell with Championship club Blackburn, before leaving Ewood Park at the end of June when his contract expired.

He said in a statement via the Boro site:

“I would like to thank all the football clubs I played for during my career and all of their fantastic fans and staff. I’d also like to thank all of the great managers I played for. As I kid I could have only dreamed of playing for the teams I played for and of getting to share the pitch with some of the players I shared a pitch with.  I played with and against some unbelievable players over the years.

“I look back on the 35 times that I played for England with immense pride and I made some incredible memories that will last a life time. I feel very lucky and fortunate to have had the career I had.

“I am excited for the future whether that be in the media, coaching or management. I have learned a lot from the game over the years and gained a lot of experience that hopefully I can pass on to others.

“Thanks for everything.”

Downing joined the Hammers from Liverpool in 2013, signing a four-year contract for a transfer fee of £5.2m. He made his debut for the club, coming on as a substitute for Matt Jarvis in the 2–0 home win against Cardiff City at Upton Park on the opening day of the 2013–14 season on 17 August 2013. Downing scored his first goal for West Ham on 3 May 2014 in a 2–0 home win against Tottenham Hotspur.

Downing made 69 Premier League appearances over two seasons scoring seven goals.

In 2015, Downing returned to boyhood club Middlesbrough, signing a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee, reported to be in the region of £7.1 million