COLIN COOPER has opened talks with Middlesbrough over a new deal at the club.

The experienced defender is out of contract at the Riverside in the summer and is keen to remain on Teesside.

Cooper is in his second spell at Boro after joining from Nottingham Forest in a £2.5m deal in August 1998.

And manager McClaren yesterday revealed the versatile defender - who has played in every defensive position this season - has opened talks with the club.

"We want to keep Colin and we have told him that," said McClaren. "It's similar to Robbie Mustoe and Paul Ince last year, we have to sit down and negotiate."

Meanwhile, Chris Riggott has completed a permanent switch to Boro.

The centre-back, who scored on his debut for the club in the Wear-Tees derby in January, has put pen-to-paper on a four-year deal.

Riggott originally arrived on a three month loan along with Derby teammate Malcolm Christie, who arrived permanently.

But now the defender has completed the move and the pair have come for a combined £3m fee.

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