Middlesbrough defender signs new five-year contract

The 20-year-old defender has signed a new five-year contract with the club.

Fry, who has been with Boro since the age of seven, has been a near permanent fixture in the first team squad this season making 17 appearances.

Pulis has praised the highly-rated youngster, highlight Fry as a "great example" to other players coming through the youth set-up.

Boss Tony Pulis said: "Dael is an up-and-coming player who we’re enjoying working with.

"He’s had a taste of the first team and he’s been in and around the squad.

"He knows he has a lot of hard work ahead, but this is a good opportunity for him.

"He’s a Middlesbrough lad as well, having come through our Academy, and he’s a great example to other young players coming through here."

Fry has made 17 appearances, his most recent coming at Brentford, when he stepped off the bench to replace Daniel Ayala for the final half-an-hour.

The former Academy youngster, a World Cup winner with England Under-20s last summer, has stepped up to become a regular fixture with Aidy Boothroyd's U21s.

Fry, who has previously had a loan spell at Rotherham, featured in the Young Lions' victory over Scotland at the Riverside Stadium in October.