JONATHAN GROUNDS has been rewarded for an outstanding start to his senior career with a new two-year Boro contract.

The club came close to releasing the Thornaby-born left-back last summer, before offering him a one-year deal.

However, the 20-year-old established himself as captain of the Reserve team and stepped into the first team earlier this season with some highly impressive displays.

"We're very pleased with his progress this season," said manager Gareth Southgate this afternoon.

"We didn't expect him to progress this quickly but he got into the first team and did very well, showing he has the right character and the mentality to cope with the big occasion.

"He's grabbed his opportunities and performed very well in the Reserves and coped with the step up to the first team without too much difficulty.

"He's still very young and has a lot to learn, but his progress has been good enough to earn another deal."