Middlesbrough complete signing of Stewart Downing from West Ham

However, reports emerged earlier today suggesting that Downing was edging ever closer to a move, and talkSPORT now claims that the two clubs have agreed a £5m fee.

Stewart Downing has explained his reasons behind snubbing Sunderland to drop out of the Premier League and return to boyhood club Middlesbrough.

Ripley, the son of former Boro and England midfielder Stuart, told the club’s official website: “I played a couple of games under Tony Mowbray and was on the bench under Gordon Strachan at a young age, but I went also through a period of not being involved, which was a struggle”.

“Nobody expected him to come here, but he wants to be here, and is completely committed to the club and the team“. “This is a good time to be coming back to Boro, and hopefully I can enjoy another four to five years playing at the top”.

“They (Premier League sides) weren’t offering me anything different in terms of a challenge to West Ham”, said Downing.

“Last season went pretty well for the club and we finished 12th, next season the aim will be to improve on that”. But at Boro there’s a chance to achieve something really special.

“It’s great to be back home”, said Downing.

Downing has won 35 senior England caps, and was regarded as West Ham’s most influential player for the majority of last season.

The 28-year-old, who scored 16 goals in 48 appearances in all competitions last season, is set to join for a reported £2.8m, with half of the fee going to his former club Reggina.