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The giant of Spain, Real Madrid, announced on Monday that they have reached an agreement with English Premier League's Middlesbrough club for the sale of defender Jonathan Woodgate. The financial details of the deal are not disclosed.
In the summer of 2006, Real Madrid loaned the 27-year-old player to Middlesbrough until the end of this season, but now the two clubs have reached an agreement to allow the defender to sign a long-term contract with the English club.
"Real Madrid has reached a mutual agreement with Middlesbrough for the transfer of Jonathan Woodgate. We wish Jonathan Woodgate all the best in his future endeavors with the new team," the statement says.
Middlesbrough's head coach Gareth Southgate has always wanted to keep J. Woodgate in his team and finally succeeded in reaching an agreement with Real.
The Englishman returned to his homeland in the summer and relieved himself of the constant injuries that plagued him at the Madrid club. In 2004, Newcastle sold this player to the "royal" club for a sum of 13.4 million pounds sterling, but he only played 9 games in two years at the Spanish team and scored one goal.
In addition, J. Woodgate was called up to the England national team last Friday. If he takes to the field tomorrow in the friendly match against Spain, it will be the first appearance of the central defender in the national team jersey since March 2004 when he played in a match against Sweden.
