STEWART Downing last night ended weeks of speculation by agreeing a new five-year contract with Middlesbrough.

Just seven days after expressing his "disappointment" at the club's initial offer of a new deal, Downing's agent, Ian Elliott, confirmed the winger's "delight" at yesterday's agreement.

The 20-year-old had been promised an improved contract after transforming himself from a first-team fringe player to a fully-fledged international in the space of just nine months.

Talks initially stalled when Downing refused to accept Boro's first proposal, but an agreement was thrashed out last night at the end of face-to-face talks between Elliott, chairman Steve Gibson and chief executive Keith Lamb.

"There was never a moment when Stewart wanted to leave Middlesbrough and he's understandably delighted to be able to finally put this to bed," said Elliott.

"Sometimes these things tend to drag on for months and months and then, suddenly, they're sorted out and over with in the space of an afternoon.

"That's been the case here. In the end it was quite a straightforward agreement because Middlesbrough didn't want to lose Stewart and Stewart certainly didn't want to leave Middlesbrough.

"He's a Middlesbrough fan through and through - he always has been - and this is the outcome he always wanted from these talks."

Downing was named Boro's player of the season in May after turning in a series of star performances to aid the club's rise to the top six of the Premiership.

His six goals in 40 starts were accompanied by countless assists and led to him winning his first England cap in February's goalless draw with Holland at Villa Park.

That cemented his blossoming reputation and inevitably led to some of Middlesbrough's Premiership rivals casting envious glances in the direction of Teesside.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has never hidden his admiration of the youngster, while Tottenham manager Martin Jol took his interest one step further last month when he tabled a £7m bid for his services.

That offer was quickly rebuffed by the Boro board but it led to a stream of speculation linking Downing with a move away from the Riverside.

The left-footer is known to have been frustrated by his lack of first-team starts in the final two months of last season - he was left on the bench for two of the last three league games, including May's UEFA Cup showdown at the City of Manchester Stadium - and that disappointment was quickly interpreted as a desire to leave Teesside.

Elliott insists that was never the case and, with a new contract finally ready to be signed, claims the midfielder is focused on recovering his fitness in time for next month's Premiership opener against Liverpool.

Downing, who left England's post-season tour of the United States to undergo surgery on a knee injury, is currently stepping up his recovery programme with the rest of the Boro squad in the Algarve.

"I spoke to Stewart as soon as things were sorted out at this end and he was glad to be able to forget all about this side of things.

"He's only got his football to think about now and that's just the way he likes it.

"He's confident of being okay for the start of the season and that's what he's working towards.

"He's concentrating on getting his fitness back and getting ready for the start of the new season."

Downing's signature is a major boost for Boro after the double disappointment of losing Bolo Zenden to Liverpool and learning that new signing Emanuel Pogatetz had been hit with a staggering six-month ban.

Both McClaren and Lamb spoke of their "determination" to keep the youngster at the Riverside this week, with the latter last night confirming Downing would put pen to paper on his new deal within the next seven days.

* Former Boro midfielder Emerson has joined Greek side Skoda Xanthi, while ex-Boro and Darlington defender Curtis Fleming is on the verge of a return to his first club, St Patrick's Athletic.