Woodgate to stay at
Boro
Madrid confirm permanent transfer of on-loan defender
To many observers, Jonathan Woodgate is one of England's best
centre-halves, worthy of challenging John Terry and Rio Ferdinand
for a place in the national side when fully fit. But he will be
spending the forseeable future in the relatively modest
surroundings of the Riverside after Real Madrid confirmed that they
have agreed his permanent transfer to Middlesbrough.
Woodgate joined Boro on a year-long loan from Madrid last summer,
after which a transfer seemed a formality. But with three months of
the season remaining, the Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate
will be delighted to have taken the impressive Woodgate out of the
shop window.
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"Real Madrid and Middlesbrough have today reached an agreement for
the transfer of Jonathan Woodgate," said a statement on the Madrid
website. "Real Madrid wants to wish Jonathan Woodgate the best
personal and professional success in this new stage of his sporting
career."
