GRANT Leadbitter insists his future at Middlesbrough was never in doubt after signing a new three-and-a-half year contract at the Riverside Stadium.

The midfielder’s form this season has attracted interest from a host of clubs, but the 28-year-old has committed his future to the Teessiders.

Boro lie fifth in the Championship, two points off the top spot and Leadbitter believes he is at the right club to fulfil his ambitions of playing in the Premier League again.

“I'm pleased for myself and my family,” Leadbitter said “It wasn't worrying me, I was calm about the whole situation, it was always going to get done and I'm pleased it's done.

“The advice I've always had is when you enjoy being at the club you are playing for, why move?

“I'm 28 and want to be in the Premier League, I could have held out, but I believe this club is going places and I want to get there with this football club.

“I'm not the type of person who focuses on anything, football is football, you never know what'll happen tomorrow, you never know what'll happen in January, you never know what'll happen at the end of the season.

“Football is a funny game and you never look too far ahead but I think it's good for myself and I think it's also good for the football club that I've signed long term.

“But I don't want to make the weekend all about me, it's about us going to Millwall, getting three points and keeping the run going.”