MARCUS TAVERNIER has committed his future to Middlesbrough after a fine first season under Jonathan Woodgate.

England Under-20 international Tavernier became the latest to pledge his future to the club by signing a new three-and-half-year deal yesterday.

The 20-year-old has caught the eye of Premier League and European clubs in the last 18 months, inclunding Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen.

Woodgate said: “I’m over the moon Tav has signed a new contract. He was a player I was keen to get tied up as soon as we could because of what he brings to the team.

“He’s had a good run of games this season and I think people can now see what he’s about.

“What he’s got to do now is keep working, and he’s got to keep improving. I don’t want people standing still, I want them hungry to improve all the time.”