DIDIER DIGARD is a tough tackling central midfield player who has enjoyed huge success at international junior level with France.

The 21-year-old ball-winner, who attracted interest from a number of top clubs before moving to Boro, joined Paris St Germain in the summer of 2007 after beginning his career with Le Havre.

He made 72 appearances for his first club and scored three goals before a €2.5m transfer to PSG, where he played under former Glasgow Rangers manager Paul Le Guen.

A thigh injury restricted his appearances as PSG endured a difficult campaign, but Gareth Southgate pushed to the front of the queue to sign the young talent for €5m on July 4 2008.

Didier played 15 times in the league in the 2007/08 season and has represented France at U15, U16, U17, U18, U20 and U21 level.

He captained the French U21s during the 2008-09 season, but found his domestic season a frustrating one.

Didier made his Boro debut on the opening day of the 2008-9 season at home to Tottenham Hotspur, going on to make 27 appearances in his first season in England.

Hugely promising, he was beginning to make a name for himself in the English game but was injured in a tackle by former Boro player Lee Cattermole during a game against Wigan at the Riverside on February 21 2009.

He was expected to be out for the season, but returned in late April. However groin problems restricted him to just one more appearance after that.

Injury struck again in the opening game of the 2009/10 season, forced off with groin problems in a goalless draw with Sheffield United at the Riverside, not returning to action until going on as a sub in the second half of a record-equalling 5-0 home defeat against West Brom on September 19.