FORMER Sunderland midfielder Dean Whitehead believes sealing a return to the North-East with Middlesbrough could complete his hat-trick of Championship title parties next May.

Whitehead, whose career started in the lower leagues at Oxford United, has only spent two years in the second tier of English football during his career and on both occasions he tasted success.

In his first season at Sunderland after Mick McCarthy had paid £150,000 to the Us in 2004, Whitehead was part of the team which finished seven points clear at the top from Wigan.

And, after relegation the following year, the Black Cats were led from the foot of the division to the pinnacle by Roy Keane and Whitehead was still around again to sample the celebrations in 2007.

After six years in the Premier League, the 31-year-old finds himself back down a level and good times are what he hopes to enjoy again after signing a two-year deal at the Riverside Stadium.

"The last two occasions I have been in this league - the only two - have been brilliant. We have won the league twice. I have a good record in the Championship, so hopefully I can make it a third," said Whitehead.

"It's a tough league, you have to be able to perform regularly, Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday. It's a tough league but hopefully I can bring a bit of experience and get a bit more out of the lads.

"If we can get this club back to where it belongs in the Premier League then it would be as good as anything I've done so far. You look back on all of the achievements, you appreciate them all but the future is what matters now."

Whitehead has placed a lot of faith in Middlesbrough manager Tony Mowbray when it would have been easier to look for a move closer to either his roots in Oxfordshire or where he has been living in Cheshire.

The Abingdon-born former Oxford man sees no reason to dwell on Middlesbrough's failings last season, suggesting Sunderland showed under Keane just what is possible in a short space of time in the Championship.

Whitehead said: "I remember the 5-0 win at Luton on the final day (of 2006-07 season), Sunderland fans were all over Kenilworth Road and you can't beat celebrations like that."We were flying that year. We had a team spirit everyone worked so hard for each other and a bit of quality. You need a bit of a mixture of both and hopefully I can bring my qualities to the table at Middlesbrough.

"When I think about that second promotion at Sunderland, we were bottom when we lost at Bury in the League Cup under Niall Quinn and we had lost our first five games. I think we then played West Brom at home and Roy Keane was in the stands. We won 2-0 and we never looked back after that.

"In this league if you win a few games in a row then things can soon take a turn for the better. You are suddenly at the top, that's why you need to be consistent. If we can pick up points away from home, on the road, then you have a chance. Last season can be forgotten about."

Whitehead - the second signing of the summer after Jozsef Varga's arrival from Debrecen - has been training the last two days with his new Middlesbrough team-mates and first impressions have been good. He said: "There's some fit lads here! It's been exciting.

"There has to be an excitement about starting at a new club. There's no point if there isn't. I didn't think I'd be back in the North-East, but I spoke to the manager and he has big plans, some good players, and hopefully my experience can help Middlesbrough continue their progress."

Shortly after Christmas he had knocked back an opportunity to extend his four year stay at Stoke City after becoming frustrated with sporadic first team opportunities under Tony Pulis.

And, despite interest from McCarthy at Ipswich and a number of others, he quickly decided Middlesbrough would be the next place to play his football.

"I spoke to Grant Leadbitter and Jonathan Woodgate," said Whitehead, who played with the two at Sunderland and Stoke respectively. "They are all positive about the season ahead and with one or two additions we will have a good season.

"They said it's a good club, the manager is good, he likes to play. We have got some really talented young players.

"There were five or six clubs interested, I spoke to the manager early doors and he told me what he wanted out of me, what he wants me to get out of others, and it's a big club. "I had time over the summer to consider my options, to think through things. Middlesbrough was pretty much my first choice, the manager has been great, and hopefully I can pay him back with a good season."

Real Madrid forward Javier Acuna, who has been monitored by Middlesbrough, could be facing the Teesside club next season. He has joined Udinese and could be heading to Watford on loan.