Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic admits he came close to signing for Middlesbrough in 2009.
The Serbian midfielder, 25, has revealed he almost joined Middlesbrough following a trial before originally signing on at Stamford Bridge from MFK Kosice in 2009.
Matic said: "The club was okay, they were in the Premier League at that time with some good players, like Stewart Downing and Robert Huth.
"I don't know why it didn't happen - I went to join up with the national team and the clubs were supposed to talk, but I never heard any more about it.
"Who knows what would have happened if I signed for Middlesbrough? Would I be here today? All I know is that I am a Chelsea player now and very happy to be here. I am 25 and I hope the best years of my career are going to be here."
