(Photo: Action Images via Reuters)
By Alex Beard
Middlesbrough centre-back and vice-captain Ben Gibson ended speculation linking him with a move away from Teesside last night by putting pen to paper on a new five-year contract with the club.
The 24-year-old was heavily linked with a move back to the Premier League this summer following Boro's relegation from the top flight, but he has now opted to remain at the Riverside Stadium for the foreseeable future.
Gibson, the nephew of current Boro chairman Steve Gibson, has been with the north-east club since the age of 10, rising through the academy to become the team's prized asset.
And the defender was thrilled to commit his future to Middlesbrough: “I'm delighted to sign a new contract,” he told the club's official website.
“Everyone knows what this club means to me. I've grown up with the club. I went to the Riverside from a young age and remember all those special European nights.
“I've been lucky enough to go on and play for the club and even captain the team, and I've had some amazing experiences here.”
Aside from loan spells at Plymouth Argyle, York City and Tranmere Rovers at the start of his career, Gibson has played all of his football at the Riverside Stadium.
In total he has gone on to make 154 appearances for the club, scoring three times. This new deal is simply one more step towards earning legendary status at Boro for the talented centre-half.
Coaxing Gibson into signing a new contract is a huge coup for Garry Monk's side. The centre-back is good enough to play for a top seven Premier League team and so tying him down is a big statement for a Championship outfit.
