Championship - Bates signs Middlesbrough deal

Eurosport - Mon, 22 Jun 12:50:00 2009

Middlesbrough utility man Matthew Bates has signed a three-year contract extension to end speculation over his future.

2009 Middlesbrough Matthew Bates - 0

The 22-year-old, who has been linked with Wolves, Wigan, West Ham and Fulham since Boro's relegation from the Premier League, has committed himself to the club until 2012.

That will come as a huge boost to manager Gareth Southgate, who used him both at the back and in central midfield following his return from a third cruciate ligament operation last season.

Southgate had made the Stockton-born player's retention one of his priorities as he plots a swift return to the top flight.

Chief executive Keith Lamb said: "We are delighted Matthew has decided to commit his future to Middlesbrough.

Bates, a member of the club's FA Youth Cup winning side in 2004, has endured an injury nightmare since breaking into the senior squad.

However, his form at the end of last season impressed Southgate, particularly when he was asked to plug a gap in the middle of midfield.

But the drop into the Coca-Cola Championship left Bates with a desperately difficult decision to make as his existing deal drew to a close.

Asked last month if staying at the Riverside was his preferred option, he said: "Yes, it, of course it is. It's the club I support, it's the club my family support. But it's a big decision for my future as well. I am out of contract in the summer and ultimately, I would like to stay in the Premier League.

"It's going to be a very difficult decision to make either way whatever I do, and it is going to be an important one as well."

PA Sport / Eurosport

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  1. naa actually u have a point there cameron w yeh i didn­ really think too far into it but now you've­ mentioned involving other clubs to get a pay rise for­ him i get where your comin from!

    From smiley123, on Tue 23 Jun 7:58PM

  2. For once cameron w I tend to agree with you.... now­ there's a first. Whilst Wheater has been called­ into the England squad if only to give him some­ experience after some good reports in an U21 shirt,­ Bates has not had that honour. So I guess that makes­ Wheater possibly a better player in his chosen­ position. But, why would one employ and agent if not to­ earn his wages and get the guy an increase in money. I­ think other clubs may well have taken a look at Bates­ as they cast an eye down the Boro team sheet, they may­ well have expressed an interest perhaps with a fee of­ about £1.5m - £2.0m in mind. He's worth more and­ would certainly cost more to replace.

    From kht20, on Tue 23 Jun 8:34AM

  3. Sorry footyfan4eva but i disagree!
    I would be­ interested in how big a pay rise he got; allegedly, he­ was all for leaving only a matter of weeks­ ago.
    Personally, i think his agent has played a blinder­ here and got his client a whopping pay-rise by­ inferring other clubs were interested, when really they­ weren't - or am i being too cynical!

    From cameron w, on Mon 22 Jun 7:48PM

  4. bates is a excellent player in my opinion and he did­ get quite a few offers from premiership clubs including­ wigan but he obviousley is commited to boro so good onn­ him and i hope he scores a few next season so he cn­ prove to all those who think he is useless that he is a­ star

    From smiley123, on Mon 22 Jun 6:20PM

  5. he stayed becouse nobady wanted him simple as that. hes­ one of the main reasons we got relegated, as instead of­ buying at christmas when most of our midfeilders were­ injured southgate put his faith in our 5th choice­ centrehalf behind pogatetz huth weater rigget to play­ that role, shows what state were in when were desparate­ for this fellas signiture. what a fall from grace.

    From chris, on Mon 22 Jun 2:16PM

  6. if there was serious interest from premier league clubs­ then good on you for staying put. at his age and­ limited experience, it can only be good for him to­ sample life outside the premiership.

    From mortgageandmoneycentre, on Mon 22 Jun 1:22PM
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