CALUM CHAMBERS claims the experience of playing regular first-team football with Middlesbrough has enabled him to improve markedly over the last 12 months.

Chambers will be at the heart of the England Under-21 defence tomorrow afternoon as Aidy Boothroyd’s side take on Germany looking to secure a place in the European Championships final.

The centre-half’s resolute performances were a key factor in England’s progression from the group stage in Poland, and followed an impressive domestic campaign despite Boro’s failure to hold on to their Premier League status.

Chambers has subsequently returned to Arsenal, and is the subject of mounting interest from a number of top-flight clubs who are keen to acquire his services for next season.

It remains to be seen whether Arsene Wenger gives him a chance at the Emirates, but whatever happens in the next few months, the 22-year-old will always be grateful for the opportunities he was afforded at the Riverside.

“I played a lot of games and had a positive season,” said Chambers, who has been partnering Swansea’s Alfie Mawson at the heart of the England Under-21s’ defence. “I was frustrated not to keep Boro in the Premier League, but playing games was great.

“We were defensively strong. We had a good record, and playing alongside Gibbo (Ben Gibson) as well, that was great. Obviously, we had to defend a lot playing against teams, and positionally, that’s helped me a lot.

“Playing in every game and defending a lot, it’s been a very good season for me, from experience and a learning curve.

“This season has been so important for me, playing games as a centre-back. The experience I have gained in that position, just from playing, is so valuable to me. I just feel it’s pushed me on to another level.”

While Chambers can look forward to spending more time in the Premier League next season, his former Boro team-mates will return to pre-season training at Rockliffe Park on Thursday to begin their preparations for a season in the Championship.

Having started last term with such optimism, Boro ended the campaign in a state of some disarray, and Chambers admits he found it hard to deal with the disappointment of relegation.

“Every game, I wanted to play and do the best I could to keep Middlesbrough in the Premier League,” he said. “It’s such a good club, and the players there are all so nice and welcomed me in so well.

“I gave absolutely everything in every game to try to get results and keep them in the Premier League. Unfortunately, I couldn’t do that, and I was gutted. There were times where it was hard, but the players and everyone there were so nice.”

Julien de Sart is also moving on, with the Belgian midfielder having agreed a season-long loan in his homeland with Zulte Waregem.

De Sart has made just three senior appearances for Boro since moving from Standard Liege in February 2016, and spent the second half of last season on loan at Derby County.

Meanwhile, Boro have confirmed that Dimi Konstantopoulos has signed a one-year contract extension.

The 38-year-old has made 104 senior appearances since joining Boro four years ago, and will link up with fellow goalkeepers Connor Ripley and Tomas Mejias when pre-season begins on Thursday.

However, Boro boss Garry Monk remains determined to sign another shot-stopper this summer, with Sheffield Wednesday’s Keiren Westwood currently topping his wanted list.