Middlesbrough have confirmed centre-back Rhys Williams has signed a new four-and-a-half year contract at the Riverside Stadium.

The 23-year-old Australian had been attracting interest from several Premier League outfits, including Bolton who had a bid turned down in January.

"I've always said I wanted to stay," Williams said. "I'm happy here and that's the main thing. I'm settled and get on well with the manager and the lads.

"I've no reason to leave except for my dream of playing in the Premier League - and I want to get there with his club."

Manager Tony Mowbray was delighted to hold on to his key defender, who has started 29 Championship games this season.

"Rhys is an important cog as we move forward trying to build a team to get us into the Premier League," said Mowbray. "This is an important statement from the club to try to tie down one of the players we feel we can move forward with."

Middlesbrough face the trip south to face Millwall on Tuesday evening, and the away win is available to back at no better than Victor Chandler's offering of 21/10, while Millwall are 6/4 with the same firm to win.