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Stewart Downing wants to achieve "something really special" with Middlesbrough

By Pascal Lemesre, Football League Editor | 16 July 2015

Stewart Downing says that he is joining Middlesbrough to achieve "something really special" by helping them earn promotion back to the Premier League.

England international Stewart Downing has set his sights on achieving "something really special" with Middlesbrough.

The 30-year-old's move back to his hometown club six years after he left has not yet been confirmed, but he has spoken about leaving West Ham United to drop down into the Championship.

"At Boro there's a chance to achieve something really special," he told The Gazette.

"This is probably the last move I'll make in football so I want to try something I've never done before. It's a great opportunity to help get the club back into the Premier League where they belong.

"Boro were very close to promotion last season and I thought if they need a few more experienced players to help them get over the line I could help."

Downing said that he turned down other Premier League clubs because he wanted to play for a club pushing for the top of the table.

He added: "I feel like I've done something different, I've moved around the country and lived in different towns and cities. I've won a trophy and played in Wembley finals.

"At this stage in my career I'd rather play in a team that has a great chance of going up."

Downing, who scored six goals and started all but one of West Ham's Premier League games last season, will reportedly sign a five-year contract with Boro.