GAIZKA MENDIETA has had enough of playing for European giants - now he wants to help Middlesbrough make their mark on the football map.

The skilful Spaniard played for Valencia, Lazio and Barcelona before eventually moving to Teesside in the summer and he has been instrumental in Boro's progress to the Carling Cup final later this month.

And, after a couple of inconsistent campaigns in Italy and Spain, Mendieta admits that he now feels happier in England where he has become a favourite with the fans.

"I talked with the manager, Steve McClaren, before I came because I wanted to play in the Premiership and it was very attractive for me when he explained everything to me," said Mendieta.

"I was very attracted to this club because it is not as big as some of the other clubs but it tries to get bigger and that's a good thing.

"That was a really big thing for me because I have recently been playing for teams that can fall from the top."

During the 29-year-old's days at Valencia - after making a name for himself at anonymous Spanish Second Division side Castellon - he helped the club to win the Copa del Rey in 1999.

That was the first time Valencia had won a trophy since the 70s and Mendieta is hoping to help Boro end their 128-year wait for their first piece of silverware.

Boro take on Bolton on February 29 at the Millennium Stadium after overcoming Arsenal this week.

Victory in Cardiff would secure a place in the UEFA Cup next season and help take the Riverside outfit onto the European stage - a vital ingredient to future success, according to Mendieta.

And the former Champions League finalist, who will come up against former Valencia teammate Ivan Campo in Cardiff, said: "I can imagine what it would feel like for Middlesbrough to win their first cup because when I was at Valencia they were 25 years without a trophy before we won it. I can imagine that it is something similar here.

"Since I played for Valencia they have been playing in UEFA and then the Champions League and that's all I have known really.

"I said when I arrived at Middlesbrough that any club wanting to be an important club should be in Europe. It's where the big teams are."

Between now and the final, Boro take on Blackburn at home tomorrow before daunting trips to Manchester United and Newcastle United.

And Mendieta has followed McClaren's lead by demanding that the players retain their recent good form in the League.

Boro have lost just two Premiership matches since October 18 and brushed aside struggling Leeds last weekend with a 3-0 victory at Elland Road.

Mendieta said: "Winning the Cup is important but we have to keep working in the league. If we don't do that and for some reason we don't play well in the Cup final then we win nothing. We must keep working in the league.

"We have to keep playing as well as we have been in the last few games because it's an important period."

Failure to settle in Lazio and Barcelona led to the level of Mendieta's displays on the pitch dropping and he lost his place in the Spanish squad as a result.

His chances of playing in this summer's European Championships in Portugal now look slim but he insists he has not give up hope just yet.

"It's a big and important competition and very important for every player to play in. But it's not always on my mind every day," said Mendieta, who made his international bow in March 1999.

"I must concentrate on my game with Middlesbrough and keep playing well."

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