Boro suits Boateng just fine

The 31-year-old midfield enforcer has endured a difficult season since taking over as captain from Gareth Southgate following his appointment as manager last summer. However, he has rediscovered his form in recent weeks as Boro secured their Barclays Premiership status and is now looking to see out the remaining two years on his contract on Teesside.

Boateng said: "I am happy here. My heart is at home. I really appreciate what the club has done for me."

He added: "Yes, people say I have earned what I have done. I have worked extremely hard, but I appreciate the people, the support from the chairman, the chief executive, the new manager, the previous manager, the staff and not to forget, especially the fans.

"I appreciate it. I am not the type of guy that would not appreciate what people have done for him.

"Being here is not easy - it is hard and stressful sometimes, but people look only at the good things when you drive a nice car or whatever.

"But I do put in a lot of hard work to get to where I am, so whether my name has been mentioned to other clubs, I am very loyal and I love being here.

"My family is settled and unless I am told different - which would be a great shame and very painful to take - I will be here as long as my contract is running."

Boateng arrived at the Riverside Stadium in a £5million move from Aston Villa in August 2002 and was a driving force in the Boro side which lifted the Carling Cup in 2004 under Steve McClaren.

His form for Boro earned him a recall to the Holland set-up and he signed a three-year contract extension after protracted talks last summer.