Stewart Downing expects more signings to join him at Middlesbrough

Leaving West Ham came at the right time for the winger, with first-team chances likely to be limited this coming campaign at the Boleyn Ground, and Downing has opted for potential success over struggling in the Premier League – even though that is what Middlesbrough will want to aim for in the future.

He had the option of not only returning to the North East and stay in the richest division on the planet with Sunderland desperate to add his creativity to their squad plus other Premier clubs including Newcastle.

“I want to be a part of this”.

Downing, 31, has rejoined his old club after stints at Aston Villa, Liverpool and West Ham and is hoping to be back in the Barclays Premier League sooner rather than later.

Stewart Downing has today described his excitement at the quality of players being targeted by Boro this summer. “I got a good offer from Middlesbrough to come back, so the security of the contract is big for me, but the pull was it’s my hometown club”.

“Were they going to be fighting relegation, were they going to be in mid-table with nothing to play for?” I see a good team, a good manager, a promotion push.

The former West Ham star opted to move to Middlesborough, despite an offer from Sunderland.

“It might be mid table football with nothing to play for”.

“It’s always a odd feeling when you join a new club, I was a little bit nervous but I’ve settled in really quickly”, he said.

“But when I knew Boro wanted me there was only one place I wanted to come and (chairman) Steve Gibson is a very persuasive man”.