Stewart Downing has finalised his move back to his first professional club by agreeing to a lucrative 5 year deal with Aitor Karanka’s Middlesbrough.
Statistically Downing was the Hammers most creative player last season, scoring six & assisting eight, reborn in a central attacking midfield role which saw the 30 year old earn a recall to the England squad after an absence of two and-a-half years. At points during the 14/15 season, Downing was holding his own against the likes of Eden Hazard, Cesc Fabregas, Juan Mata & Gylfi Sigurdsson in terms of goals, assists, chances created & key passes.