Middlesbrough's Jonny Howson signs up for next season

The 32-year-old exercised the clause in his present deal, and the news is another big boost for a Boro side who beat Stoke City 2-0 in manager Neil Warnock's first game in charge on Saturday.

The Leeds United product has had an excellent season at the Riverside, usually as an emergency defender under Jonathan Woodgate.

But the new manager restored him to his preferred midfield role at the weekend.

Boro are the third club Howson has played for, joining from Norwich City in the summer of 2017. He has made 133 appearances in all competitions for the Teessiders.

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