O'Neil joined Middlesbrough from Portsmouth in August 2007

Middlesbrough midfielder Gary O'Neil has signed a new contract that will keep him at the club until 2012.

The 26-year-old had a clause in his contract which enabled Middlesbrough to take up a two-year extension to the deal which was due to end in 2010.

The England under-21 international joined Middlesbrough from Portsmouth in August 2007 for an undisclosed fee.

Since then the Bromley-born player has made more than 80 appearances, scoring seven goals.

It took O'Neil several seasons, and a handful of loan moves, to establish himself at Fratton Park, having risen through the club's academy ranks.

606: DEBATE Give your reaction to O'Neil's new deal

He captained Portsmouth, featuring in 192 matches across the Championship and Premier League before his move to Teesside.

O'Neil was part of the side that were relegated from the Premier League at the end of the 2008-09 season, and news of his deal comes with Boro in 14th place in the Championship.

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