MIDDLESBROUGH born winger Stewart Downing has drawn his illustrious career to a close after announcing his retirement from professional football today. 

Downing, 37, was released by Championship side Blackburn Rovers over the summer and the winger has since made the decision to hang up his boots. 

The Boro man's career has spanned over 20 years making 700 appearances for his hometown club along with Sunderland, Aston Villa, Liverpool, West Ham United and Blackburn. 

The Pally Park winger is considered a legend of the club and played 404 times across two different spells. Downing was part of the Boro squad that helped the club ahcieve their first major honour winning the Carling Cup in 2004. 

He broke into the starting eleven the following season and never looked back. Following a string of impressive performances, it wasn't long before England came calling where he'd go on to feature 35 times for the national side. 

Downing was a menace to many teams on the left-hand side for years and it was his cross to Massimo Maccarone who headed home to send the club into the UEFA Cup final beating Steaua Bucharest in the semi final in an odds defying comeback. 

After leaving the club to go on to play for Villa, Liverpool and West Ham United, Downing dropped down to the Championship and returned to Boro for a second spell.

In his first season with the club, he helped the club back to the Premier League featuring 49 times during the club's promotion winning campaign under Aitor Karanka. 

He'd stay with the side for another three years and was released in the summer of 2019 following the expiration of his contract and was free to link up with Boro born Tony Mowbray at Blackburn. 

In a statement on Boro's club website, Downing said: "After some time to relax and reflect with my family over the summer, I have decided the time has come to retire from playing professional football.

"First and foremost, I would like to give a big thanks to my mum and dad, my sisters, and of course my wife and 2 kids for all their support and help throughout my career. 

"I would like to give a special mention to my dad, who has been the single biggest influence on my career and I am grateful for everything he has done for me.

"I would like to thank all the football clubs I played for during my career and all of their fantastic fans and staff. I’d also like to thank all of the great managers I played for. As I kid I could have only dreamed of playing for the teams I played for and of getting to share the pitch with some of the players I shared a pitch with.  I played with and against some unbelievable players over the years.

"I look back on the 35 times that I played for England with immense pride and I made some incredible memories that will last a life time. I feel very lucky and fortunate to have had the career I had.

"I am excited for the future whether that be in the media, coaching or management. I have learned a lot from the game over the years and gained a lot of experience that hopefully I can pass on to others. 

"Thanks for everything."