Middlesbrough v Stoke: New deal for Boro defender

Scarves on sale prior to the Premier League match at the Riverside Stadium.

The 28-year-old, who joined the club from Doncaster in July 2012, played a key role in Boro’s promotion to the Premier League at the end of last season and has been named in the PFA Championship Team of the Year at the end of the last two campaigns.

Friend said: “For me, committing to the Boro for another four years is because of so many things - a fantastic chairman, a brilliant manager and staff, great team-mates, absolutely amazing fans and a beautiful area in which to live.

“I am very grateful and thankful to everyone who has encouraged and supported me. What I can promise in return is to continue to try to give 100 per cent commitment to the club.

“My grandfather taught me many things, one of which was to play every match with the same energy and focus as if I was playing in the world’s biggest stage. This is what I’ve always tried to do from the beginning of my career to now, as we stand on the threshold of the Premier League.

“In my eyes, the Riverside is the best and biggest stage and to be given the opportunity to extend that privilege is everything.”

Middlesbrough: Valdes, Nsue, Barragan, Gibson, Friend, Clayton, de Roon, Adomah, Ramirez, Downing, Negredo. Subs: Konstantopoulos, Rhodes, Fischer, Baptiste, Stuani, Forshaw,

Nugent.

Stoke: Given, Bardsley, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Pieters, Imbula, Whelan, Shaqiri, Krkic, Arnautovic, Diouf. Subs: Allen, Muniesa, Adam, Walters, Cameron, Crouch, Haugaard.

Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)

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