Stewart Downing - the legend of "Middlesbrough"

Very few English footballers go to other football leagues - in most cases they stay in their country to compete in the Premier League or Championships. Stewart Downing is no exception, this player, who was remembered by many fans with his left foot, and his versatility in the attack, spent his whole career in England. And now, when the end of this career is getting closer, he does not plan to leave his native country - the midfielder decided to return to his native club, and not look for something new abroad. But what was the career path of this player? Where did Stuart Downing start? What did he achieve? And where is it performing at the moment?

The beginning of his career and the game for "Middlesbrough"

Stewart Downing was born July 22, 1984 in the city of Middlesbrough, and he was literally destined to become a football player. From an early age he joined the football academy of the club with the same name and was extremely happy, since he always was rooting for him. Naturally, he also dreamed of becoming a professional football player one day, who would defend the colors of FC Middlesbrough, and would do it with all his might.

Stuart worked hard and at eighteen he got what he wanted - a professional contract with his favorite club. He was extremely happy: he was able to stay at the Middlesbrough Academy, he was not sent to the academy of another club, did not refuse to sign a contract with him. And now he had a chance to show what he is capable of.

Stuart was called into the adult team when he was 17 years old, and he played three matches. After signing the professional contract, alas, the situation has not changed much: for the whole season the young midfielder entered the field only the next three times, however in this case he noted his first goal for the club.

The management understood that they had a real talent for them, which could give a lot to the team, but due to the fact that it was not possible to introduce the player into the team, it was decided to send it for half a year to rent in Sunderland, where he showed himself perfectly.

Therefore, when Downing returned, it was waiting for a stable place in the base. After the lease, he spent five and a half years at Middlesbrough, for which he was almost a legend, but in 2009, Aston Villa was interested in the 25-year-old midfielder and offered him 13 million euros. FC "Middlesbrough", who was at that time not in the best financial position, was forced to agree. This opened a new page in the biography of Downing.

Transfer to Aston Villa

"Aston Villa" was a real platform for a high start - Stuart Downing brilliantly spent two seasons in the club, having played 79 matches and scoring eleven goals. But in 2011 happened what every footballer dreams about. Downing was closely followed by scouts of major clubs, and as a result, Liverpool made an incredible offer.

A couple of years ago, not every fan knew who Stewart Downing was. Middlesbrough was a small club in the city where Stewart was born, so playing for him was his dream. But even so, which football player does not dream of playing for the top club? Downing was able to realize this dream, moving to Liverpool in 2011 for a record 23 million euros.

Climb to the top

It was in "Liverpool" reached its peak Stewart Downing. Football player, however, unfortunately, could not resist on it. Takeoff Downing was impressive - for two years in the camp of "Merseyside" he went on the field 91 times, scoring with seven goals. However, in 2013, the club's management decided that the player is not good enough to compete for the club. Therefore, he was sold for six million euros in West Ham.

A new beginning in West Ham

It would seem that after such a lot of players can not stand the blow, and their careers start to roll down. However, not in the case of Downing. The player perfectly withstood the blow and was only motivated by what happened to him.

In "West Ham" he spent two wonderful years, playing in 79 games and scoring the next seven goals. This, he most likely, more than once made the bosses of Liverpool regret that he was sold, or at least that he was sold so cheaply. But it is worth noting that in 2015, Downing was already 31 years old, so he began to think about returning to the roots. "Origins", fortunately, were completely not against - "Middlesbrough" even paid "West Ham" an impressive amount of eight million euros for his pupil.

Return to Middlesbrough

In the summer of 2015, Downing signed a four-year contract with his native club, for which he immediately began to perform with great zeal. He deservedly received a place in the base and in the first season came on the field in 55 games, scoring three goals at the same time.

In the current season, Downing has played in eight games, but has not scored yet, but has already given two assists. Most likely, Stewart will finish until 2019, after which he will finish his career in his native club or continue there performances if he has the strength, and the club will need it.

National team appearances

For the England national team, Stewart Downing made his debut in a friendly against the Dutch national team in February 2005. He was called to the World Cup in 2006, where he was replaced in three matches.

His next major tournament was already the European Championships in 2012, but there he spent all the time on the bench. His last match for the team Downing held in November 2011. It was a duel against the team of Scotland, in which the English won with a score of 3: 1.