Staying at Victoria Park was an easy decision for Bates

The club had already announced it was to take up the 12 month option on his current contract, before he was presented with a new, improved two-year deal.

A mainstay of the back four, Bates improved and impressed this season after an indifferent opening year at Victoria Park.

It means he joins Trevor Carson, Nicky Featherstone and Lewis Hawkins in signing new contracts at Victoria Park as boss Craig Hignett ties down his key men.

Bates, 29, and a former Middlesbrough skipper, said: “It was spoken about at the end of the season and happened very quickly, I was happy with the offer and have to thank the gaffer, Russ (Green, chief executive) and the chairman for getting it done so quickly.

“I can go and enjoy my summer now.

“I had a year’s option and I’ve been rewarded. I’m very pleased, and a few have signed new contracts. It’s the right thing to do, it keeps people happy and keeps the dressing room together.

“I made it clear I wanted to stay, I’m settled here after a hit and miss first season.

“I still think there’s more to come, my future is sorted for the next couple of years and I want to kick on further.’’

Bates has suffered four cruciate knee ligament injuries during his eight-years with Boro, but this season made 35 appearances, the second most he has made in a single campaign, behind the 42 for Boro in 2011/12.

He said: “Injury-wise, I’ve been fine and made a lot of appearances, which is credit to the staff at the club who have wrapped me up in cotton wool at times.

“I had a poor first season, no excuses, this year I settled down and my mind was more clear in footballing terms.

“The people playing alongside me helped me, as well as the two managers this season.

“It was important to tie down the players the gaffer wanted to keep and now he’s looking to bring new players in.’’

Hignett and Pools have been alerted to the news that Kal Naismith has been made available for transfer by Portsmouth.

He impressed in a month-long loan at Pools this season, and scored for Pompey at Victoria Park at the end of the campaign.

The Pools boss wants to add a centre-half to his ranks – he is keen to sign Middlesbrough’s Adam Jackson permanently after a solid long-term loan during the campaign – as well as a striker, midfielder and winger.

Jackson has returned to Boro and remains under contract at the Riverside.

The defender won the club’s young player of the year award this season and said: “I came in in November and loved every minute of it.

“The first game left me a bit shell-shocked against Cheltenham, but I soon got over that.

“I signed on loan, then got offered the chance to see the season out and it was an easy decision to stay.

“I had some good feedback from Boro, it was always positive feedback from the coaches who spoke to me after games.

“I don’t really know what next season holds, I think it will be sorted soon.

“I’m still under contract at Boro for another season, so it’s all in their hands really. I’m due back there for pre-season and we will go from there.

“I’ve enjoyed it here and what happens isn’t really up to me – I’m not in a position to decide.’’

And he paid tribute to Bates for the advice and encouragement as the pair formed a formidable partnership in defence: “Matty has helped me a lot playing alongside him in the middle of the defence, he talks a lot and keeps me right in games and in training.’’