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Read exclusive interview with Stewart Downing on his Boro return HERE.

Stewart Downing has completed his Riverside return six years to the day he left Boro.

The England ace today rubber-stamped the big money switch from West Ham after swiftly going through the formalities.

Now, with the paperwork done, he will fly out Marbella tomorrow morning and join Aitor Karanka’s squad in an afternoon training session - and may even feature in Boro’s friendly workout on Saturday.

Downing left Boro to join Aston Villa in a £12m move on July 16, 2009 after Boro were relegated but vowed at the time that he would return.

He has fulfilled that promise. He took a morning medical at the Nuffield Hospital in Stockton then swiftly finalised the deal at Rockliffe Park.

Boro will pay West Ham a guaranteed £5.5m in structured payments over the next three years but the deal could be worth up to £7m if the team win promotion over the life of the contract, which is for four years with an option of a fifth.

The deal will mean Downing taking a considerable cut in his reported £60,000 a week West Ham wages.

Boro are set to pay him around £30,000 - a huge wage in the Championship - but over a longer period.

That is a hefty investment of over £7m sanctioned by chairman Steve Gibson.

Read more on the Downing deal:

Stewart Downing: Boro finalise £7m Riverside return

While you've been away - 19 things that have changed at Boro

Who, what, where, why and how - the lowdown on the deal

Anthony Vickers on a homecoming to galvanise the Riverside

Downing could be a game changer: Watch Anthony Vickers give his view

Stewart Downing travelling to Teesside to complete £5m Boro switch

I'll be back: What Downing told Gazette on day he left