Downing Departs

Stewart Downing has joined his boyhood club Middlesbrough on a four year deal for a fee believed to be £5.5 Million, rising to as much as £8 Million should the Championship team attain promotion to the Barclays Premier League. Not a bad bit of business for both clubs, Downing is 31 years old next week, so to have recouped their initial outlay and remove a large earner of the books, Hammers seem to have done rather well. However Downing was one of West Ham's best players last season, particularly when used at the tip of the diamond formation, indeed Slaven Billic has stated that he did not want Downing to move, but understood the player's desire to return to his 'spiritual' home.
Middlesbrough have acquired a player at his peak, who will inspire his team mates, he will obviously be made captain by Aitor Karanka and should grace the Riverside for the rest of his playing career. How he gets on with the rough and tumble of the Championship is a matter of some conjecture, but he gave his all for West Ham, and deserves praise for putting up with some atrocious managerial formation decisions. All West Ham fans will wish him well, and if he helps get Middlesbrough promoted he will have added a couple of million pounds in to the transfer kitty! -Ed