GEORGE Friend has signed a new four-year deal with Middlesbrough.

The 26-year-old has been a key member of Aitor Karanka's team since the Spaniard took over and has been handed a new deal.

Friend, a left-back, had entered the final year of the contract he signed when he moved from Doncaster two years ago.

He had been interesting Nottingham Forest who are known to have attempted to sign the former Wolves defender.