AFTER the flurry of activity which greeted three news signings and 888.com as the club’s new sponsor last week, the last few days have been a little more sedate. Time for one player to reflect on his own bit of good news at signing a new contract to stay with the club for another two seasons.
Joseph Job first joined Middlesbrough in 2000 costing £3m from French club Lens. A loan spell with another French side, Metz, looked to have brought an end to Job’s time with Boro in 2002, but returned determined to win his place.
A fans’ favourite, the Cameroon international put pen to paper last week on a deal which will keep him at the Riverside until 2006.
« I am very pleased because I get on very well with the club and we understand each other, » he reflects.
« It was important for me to stay at Middlesbrough because the club is very ambitious. They have made some excellent signings this year and I want to be part of that. »
The signings of Mark Viduka and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has increased competition in the striking department, but the man capped 44 times for his country isn’t worried by that.
« I see the competition as a new challenge. Every top club has competition for places in every position and this can only be good for us.
« Last season was a very big one for Middlesbrough, but that has gone now and I am hopeful it is the start of more trophies. It’s exciting to be part of it and I am looking forward to the new season.
« We also have European football to look forward to next year. We have the players with good experience at that level so I don’t see why we can’t go as far as possible in the competition. »