Name:	George Boateng
Nationality:	Dutch
Date of Birth:	05/09/1975
Height:	6' 0" (182cm)
Weight:	12st 0lbs (76.0kg)
Previous
Clubs:	SC Excelsior R (loan), Coventry City, Feyenoord, Aston Villa
Position:	Midfielder

A HUGELY popular figure at the Riverside, George signed from Aston Villa in August 2002 at a cost of £5m.

Born in Nkawkaw, Ghana, but raised in the Netherlands, Boateng began his career with Dutch club Excelsior in 1995, playing nine games in his one season with them.

He moved on to Feyenoord in August 1995, going on to play 70 games before a £2.5m move to Coventry and his first taste of English football in December 1997.

Moved to Villa in July 1999 for £4.5m after making 57 appearances for the Sky Blues.

Made 131 appearances for Villa before his switch to Boro.

A tough-tackling midfielder, Boateng made his Boro debut in a goalless draw at Southampton on the opening day of the 2002-03 season. His home debut followed a week later in a 2-2 draw with Fulham.

Has made his debut for Holland as a 47th-minute replacement for Phillip Cocu in a 1-1 draw with England in Amsterdam in February 2002 but although he was involved in squads in the run up to the 2006 World Cup, he missed out on the final cut.

In June 2006 he signed a new three-year contract taking him through to 2009.