VERY few people would have envisaged that Dimi Konstantopoulos would become such a key component of Middlesbrough's promotion winning team when he headed for a trial at Rockliffe Park three years ago.

Konstantopoulos, who has kept a staggering 22 clean sheets in the 46-game Championship campaign, has worked wonders along with the defence in front of him and that has been the bedrock of Boro's charge to a top two place.

Now the Greek goalkeeper is proud to look back on a season which has seen Middlesbrough achieve the promotion target that was set out at the end of last season.

Konstantopoulos has given his verdict on the Middlesbrough players who completed the job on Saturday at the Riverside.

DIMI KONSTANTOPOULOS

“It’s the best feeling in the world to say I’m a Premier League player. I will enjoy these couple of days - and maybe a few nights in my Greek restaurant in town - and have a good summer. I’m 37, but I feel fine. I’m really looking forward to the chance."

EMILIO NSUE, RIGHT-BACK

“He is the funniest guy ever and he has turned out to be one of the best right-backs in the Championship. He has accepted a switch from the wing and now he says, ‘me a defender, not a winger’. His quality will work at a higher level."

BEN GIBSON, CENTRE-BACK

“The chairman’s nephew, he reads the game superbly, has great communication and is mature for his age. He thinks he’s funny, the comedian of the squad, but he isn’t really."

DANIEL AYALA, CENTRE-BACK

“We call him the Big Llama. He is unbelievably strong; he is like a rock at the back. He has a great partnership at the back with Gibbo and can slot into the Premier League, I’m sure."

GEORGE FRIEND, LEFT BACK

“George gives 100 per cent effort at all times. He has aggression and he has good quality. He is also a smart guy, who organised our charity calendar to help the local steelworkers. Secretly, I think he enjoyed showing his chest off."

GRANT LEADBITTER, CENTRE MIDFIELD

“He is our captain and he is our leader. He has marshalled us superbly all season. When he is on the pitch he calms the game down, but he speeds it up when he needs to and he can cause danger from set-pieces."

ADAM CLAYTON, CENTRE MIDFIELD

“He has come a long way since he first arrived from Huddersfield Town. He has improved with every single game and is vital to our team with his non-stop engine. He will give Premier League midfielders a problem."

GASTON RAMIREZ, FORWARD

“Gaston has been on loan from Southampton, but we all hope he is still with us next year because his quality has shone through on the pitch. He takes players on, creates and scores, a combination which is useful and valuable."

ALBERT ADOMAH, FORWARD

“‘Uncle Albert’ can turn defenders inside out. He is fantastic at one-on-ones and he can score goals, as well. Having played in a World Cup for Ghana, I’m sure he can take the Premier League in his stride."

CRISTHIAN STUANI, FORWARD

“Cristhian will find it easier in the Premier League because he has come from big leagues - Serie A and La Liga. He is a big player himself, a Uruguay international and a goalscorer, even though he plays out wide."

DAVID NUGENT, STRIKER

“David has already played many games in the Premier League for Portsmouth, Burnley and Leicester City and will give us that experience. You know exactly what he will give to the team - he will run his socks off and score goals."

SUBS:

STEWART DOWNING: “Stewy has bags of experience. A local lad, his quality is unbelievable and I think will find it easier in the Premier League than he did this year. He will have more time on the ball."

JORDAN RHODES: “He has only been with us for a short time but has shown he can score goals for fun. He has done it with Blackburn Rovers and Huddersfield and he has already scored a few for us.”