Ex-Liverpool and West Ham man reveals future plans, Middlesbrough sign attacking prospect plus England ticket latest: News and transfer rumours

The 36-year-old came through the ranks at Boro and made 402 appearances for the Teessiders during two separate spells at the club.

Downing, who also represented Aston Villa, Liverpool and West Ham, only made 18 league appearances for Blackburn during the 2020/21 season.

The former England international told talkSPORT Breakfast: “The likelihood is I’ll probably retire.

“My contract has ended at Blackburn. I had a good few years there, I wasn’t involved as much last season.

“I re-signed in November, so I was getting up to speed and by the time I did, the season had petered out.”

“After last season because I wasn’t involved in the first three or four months, I tried to get my head around if this could be it.

“But I went back to Blackburn for another six or seven months and then I thought, ‘I feel good, I feel fit’.

“There comes a time when you have to make a decision. You’ve got to get enjoyment from football and if you’re not playing, that’s a big thing for me.

Teenager signs Boro contract

Back at Boro, teenage attacker Jeremy Sivi has signed a professional contract with the club.

The 18-year-old wide player impressed during a trial period at Rockliffe, while the club claimed there was interest from around Europe.

Sivi trained at the Onside Football Academy in London and made his debut for Boro’s under-23 side against Crystal Palace earlier this month.

He has previously played for non-league side Harlow Town.

England ticket latest

Finally, England’s two friendly matches at the Riverside Stadium in June have both sold out.

The Three Lions will face Austria on Wednesday, June 2 (8pm kick-off) and Romania on Sunday, June 6 (5pm kick-off).

Fans will be able to attend the matches but the Riverside capacity will be capped at 25 per cent for both games.

A limited number of tickets for the Austria game were still available for My England Football members on Tuesday morning, yet they have now been snapped up.

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