'He did well at Leeds and Tottenham': Jonathan Woodgate reacts as another Middlesbrough academy graduate signs a new deal

Middlesbrough midfielder Ben Liddle has signed a new contract at the club.

Liddle, 21, became the latest Boro academy product to commit their future to the club after signing a Unitedtwo-and-a-half-year deal, with the option of a further year, at the Riverside.

Boro have recently tied down youngsters Marcus Tavernier, Hayden Coulson and Djed Spence, while goalkeeper Aynsley Pears is also close to agreeing new terms.

Liddle joined League Two side Scunthorpe United on loan last month and made his debut for the Iron at Crawley last weekend.

Woodgate has openly admitted that Liddle was off the pace in pre-season, but says the player has improved significantly to break into the first-team set-up.

Liddle was handed his Boro debut when he came off the bench against Leeds in November and made his first start for the club at Tottenham in the FA Cup.

“It’s great to get another of our young players signed up for the future,” Woodgate told Boro’s club website. “After coming back for pre-season, Ben knew he had a lot of work to do, and he’s really knuckled down and done very well.

“He earned himself the right to be involved with the first team, and did well when he came on at Leeds and against Tottenham.

“The loan move will give him the opportunity to continue his development now by playing regular, competitive football, and he will come back here next summer benefiting from the experience.”