Spurs swoop for Woodgate in £7m deal

TOTTENHAM have signed England defender Jonathan Woodgate from Middlesbrough, the club have announced.

The clubs had earlier confirmed they had reached agreement for the 28-year-old who joined Boro from Real Madrid in August 2006, initially on loan with the move made permanent in April 2007.

The details of the deal have yet to be announced but Woodgate is likely to cost Juande Ramos’ side in the region of £7million.

‘‘We are delighted to announce we have reached agreement with Middlesbrough for the transfer of Jonathan Woodgate,’’ said a statement on Tottenham’s official website.

Newcastle had also made enquiries about the player regarding a return to St James’ Park but Magpies boss Kevin Keegan last week admitted his chances of signing Woodgate had faded while Arsenal were also linked with the former Leeds United defender.

Boro boss Southgate suffered a further blow last night when Stewart Downing’s agent claimed the England international has no intention of signing a new contract at Middlesbrough.

Southgate has repeatedly expressed the club’s intention to hang on to the winger and a player they are understood to value at around £12million.

However, agent Ian Elliott has expressed his surprise at comments from Southgate suggesting he has been informed that the player is staying on Teesside and has accepted the fact.

Indeed, Elliott is adamant that, if he has to see out the two remaining years on his current deal, he will do so and then leave under freedom of contract.

Elliott said: “Stewart’s made his position quite clear to all parties at Middlesbrough – the chairman, chief executive and Gareth Southgate in private, so we are surprised by comments released by the manager saying that he has been informed he is staying and has accepted the situation. Indeed, he has two years left on his current contract. If he has to see out the remaining two years, then so be it. We would point out that the previous offer from the club has been rejected out of hand.

“We will not enter into any further negotiations and the player will see out the two years and option his rights under freedom of contract at the end of it.’’