Middlesbrough have confirmed the £7m permanent signing of England defender Jonathan Woodgate.
Woodgate, 27, arrived at his home-town club in August on a season-long loan from Real Madrid.
But he has now made the permanent switch to the Riverside, signing a four-year contract and putting his injury misery behind him.
Boro negotiated a first option to buy the former Leeds and Newcastle defender when they set up the loan move.
Woodgate repays the faith Boro showed in signing a player with a wretched injury record.
He arrived at the Riverside having endured a miserable two years at the Bernabeu where injuries left him struggling to establish himself in Spanish football.
But such has been Woodgate's form and fitness that he has started 33 of the 41 games Boro have played since his arrival, earning a recall to the England side for the friendly against Spain in February.
Woodgate cost Newcastle £8m when they signed him from Leeds in January 2003, and Real paid £13.4m for his services in August 2004.
Woodgate, 27, arrived at his home-town club in August on a season-long loan from Real Madrid.
But he has now made the permanent switch to the Riverside, signing a four-year contract and putting his injury misery behind him.
Boro negotiated a first option to buy the former Leeds and Newcastle defender when they set up the loan move.
Woodgate repays the faith Boro showed in signing a player with a wretched injury record.
He arrived at the Riverside having endured a miserable two years at the Bernabeu where injuries left him struggling to establish himself in Spanish football.
But such has been Woodgate's form and fitness that he has started 33 of the 41 games Boro have played since his arrival, earning a recall to the England side for the friendly against Spain in February.
Woodgate cost Newcastle £8m when they signed him from Leeds in January 2003, and Real paid £13.4m for his services in August 2004.
for that . It shows that he puts his heart before trophies or money, like Carra.
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