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The prospect of helping Boro reach the Premier League convinced Stewart Downing to return home.

The Middlesbrough-born winger had the option of sitting tight at West Ham or joining another Premier League club, but he wanted a fresh challenge and opted to drop down a division.

An established international playing second tier football is nothing new. For example, Paul Merson joined Boro from Arsenal and guided the Bryan Robson's side to promotion in 1997/98.

But, back then, the financial gap between the top two divisions wasn't the huge chasm it is now and such moves are rare these days.

So both Downing and Boro may be taking a risk on each other, but it's one that could pay huge dividends.

The club are getting a hugely gifted player in his prime while Downing is being offered the chance to try a new challenge and achieve something that could go down in club folklore.

Explaining why he wanted to re-join his hometown club, the former Pallister Park pupil said: “It's a new challenge.

“I had opportunities to join clubs in the Premier League but, in fairness, they weren't offering me anything different in terms of a challenge to West Ham.

“If I stayed at West Ham, the aim would be to try and push into the top half of the table.

“Last season went pretty well for the club and we finished 12th, next season the aim will be to improve on that.

“Had I gone to another Premier League club from West Ham, the targets would be similar.

“But at Boro there's a chance to achieve something really special.

“This is probably the last move I'll make in football so I want to try something I've never done before. It's a great opportunity to help get the club back into the Premier League where they belong.

“Boro were very close to promotion last season and I thought if they need a few more experienced players to help them get over the line I could help.”

Downing left Boro to join Aston Villa six years go in a £12m deal and, almost two years to the day later Liverpool paid a reported £20m for his services.

He spent two years with the Reds before joining West Ham and, following a couple of successful seasons playing under Sam Allardyce, he's ready to come home.

“I left Middlesbrough because I needed a new experience, I needed to get out of my comfort zone,” he admitted.

“I had a couple of good seasons at Aston Villa and then went to Liverpool.

“With also playing for West Ham, I feel like I've done something different, I've moved around the country and lived in different towns and cities. I've won a trophy and played in Wembley finals.

“At this stage in my career I'd rather play in a team that has a great chance of going up.”

While Downing is delighted to be re-joining Boro, he wouldn't be coming back if the club was struggling at the wrong end of the table.

(Image: Daniel Hambury/PA Wire)

“I'm not 24 anymore so the move I make has to be the right one,” he explained. “Boro made me a great offer and the challenge appealed as well.

“This is a total change, a completely different kind of challenge. The time feels right to come back to Middlesbrough, I wouldn't be here if I didn't think the club could win promotion.

“The team is on the up and I thought they were unlucky not to win promotion last season.

“To help the club get out of the Championship would be a great achievement, it would be unbelievable for the club and for the town.”

Downing may have left Middlesbrough in July 2009 but he's retained close links with the town and regularly popped home to visit friends and family.

His brother-in-law, Jonathan Woodgate, has kept him posted on how the club has progressed under Aitor Karanka and what he's heard has helped to tempt him back.

“All the things I'm hearing about Aitor Karanka are positive, nobody in the Boro dressing room has a bad word to say about him,” he said.

“I spoken to Woody about him and he says the training is top drawer, as good as anything he's experienced in his career, the sessions are fantastic.

“Karanka is only a young manager but he's already achieved a great deal as a coach, he's clearly got talent and was unlucky to miss out on promotion last season.”

Read more on the Downing deal:

Stewart Downing: Boro finalise £7m Riverside return

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

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

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