GEORGE FRIEND is happy at Middlesbrough, despite interest from the Premier League as the transfer window opens.

Boro’s left-back has been a success on and off the pitch on Teesside, and a strong showing last season has led to interest from, among others, West Bromwich Albion.

It would take a spectacular offer to tempt Middlesbrough into selling, and Friend took the opportunity at the opening of a new football facility in South Bank to say that he is going nowhere.

“I'm not on Twitter and things and I think that helps. Of course you do hear things, I do have an agent and people are talking about it all the time,” said Friend of the speculation.

“It is a little bit of a distraction but not enough to put me off. It's more of a compliment to be honest, I think any player quite likes the fact that there's interest in them because it means you've done something right in a way so I'm very happy at Boro and I'm ready to start again on Monday for another successful season.”

The defender, a £100,000 signing by Tony Mowbray from Doncaster Rovers in 2012, has gone on to make more than 100 appearances for Boro and has cemented his place in the side under Aitor Karanka, remains a popular figure on Teesside. And the Devon native admits the feeling is mutual.

Speaking about his love for the club, Friend said: “There are lots of reasons. The community – the people around the club, even those that aren't involved in the football club, they are genuinely nice people.

“It's hard to explain, sometimes you just settle at a club and I think the fans have a lot to do with it, they have always been good to me and I just love playing for Boro, it's such a great club and that's why it's such a shame they are not in the Premier League after last season but we've got to try and push to get there, that's the main thing.

“That's what the chairman wants every season and he puts so much time, effort and money into it that we deserve.”

  • Friend was speaking at the unveiling of a refurbished full-size 3G floodlit pitch at the club’s Herlingshaw site, following an investment of £447,142 by the Premier League and The FA Facilities Fund. The site, which is based at South Bank, Redcar and Cleveland, is used by Middlesbrough Football Club’s Foundation as a base for a number of their club and community group sports sessions including use by their ladies’ team, disability groups and schools partners.