ISAIAH JONES has committed his long-term future to Middlesbrough by signing a new three-year contract with the club.

The winger, who had been due to enter the final year of his existing contract this summer, has penned a new deal at the Riverside that will run until 2027.

The new agreement removes any uncertainty over the winger’s future, and is a major boost to Boro head coach Michael Carrick, who regards Jones as an integral element of his senior squad.

Initially signed from non-league side Tooting & Mitcham in the summer of 2019, the 24-year-old has rapidly established himself as a first-team regular on Teesside following loan spells in Scotland with St Johnstone and Queen of the South.

He made his league debut for Boro on the opening day of the 2021-22 season under Neil Warnock, and has gone on to make 122 senior appearances for the club, scoring 11 goals.

He suffered a difficult campaign last season, with mental-health issues meaning he was unable to feature for much of the spring. Jones spoke openly of his mental battles in the summer, and was widely praised for being so honest and frank.

He has played a much more prominent role this season, albeit with a hamstring injury having kept him on the sidelines for a two-month spell at the start of this year, with Carrick tending to use him as a wide-attacker on the right-hand side.

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Jones’ versatility remains one of his key assets, however, as he has also previously featured as a right wing-back or as a full-back on the right of an orthodox back four.

Speaking about Jones’ importance earlier this month, Carrick said: “He’s done well and had a big impact over the course of the season. He had a period where he scored a burst of goals. He’s capable of doing that, and probably doing that a little bit more. He’s had an impact in a positive way with his performances though.

“Adding more goals and assists is always the perfect world for any player. That’s not particularly just Izzy individually, it’s the case for any player in general. That’s something, of course, we’d love to see a lot more of. But he’s doing a lot of good things, and we hope that he keeps doing those good things and, hopefully, he’ll get the rewards for it.”

Jones clearly feels settled on Teesside, and has spoken extensively in the past about his enjoyment of playing with Boro.

Speaking about his contractual situation at the start of the month, he said: “I enjoy every minute playing here and playing in front of these fans. I’ve got 12 months left, but that doesn’t mean I want to leave.

“I would rate my season as alright. It’s not been the best - I’d definitely like more assists and goals. I was getting into a good rhythm before the injury and now I’m back, I’m trying to get into that rhythm again.”