STRONG and consistent defender Jonathan was born in Thornaby where he represented St Patrick's School before joining Boro as a teenager.

He came through the youth system at the club and played in the side that won the Nike Cup in Sunderland and went on to play in the international finals in Portland, Oregon.

His progress was rewarded with a one-year contract in summer 2007 and he was included in the first team squad for the pre-season trip to Austria.

Jonathan can play at left-back, centre-back or on the left side of midfield.

He received wide praise after making an impressive Premier League debut at left-back, coming in for the injured Emanuel Pogatetz in a 1-1 draw with Liverpool at the Riverside in January 2008.

After a number of assured displays he signed an improved two-year Boro deal in March 2008 and in summer 2010 he signed a further two-year Boro contract.

His first game in the 2008-09 season was in a 5-1 Carling Cup win over League One Yeovil Town in late August, but in the middle of September he went on loan to Norwich in the Championship.

His loan spell at Carrow Road was cut short and four days after playing away to Southampton for the Canaries, Jonathan returned to start the Premier League game away to Wigan that brought Boro's first away win in the league for nine months.

Jonathan made just one more appearance for Boro and returned on loan to Norfolk, winning praise from Norwich manager Bryan Gunn during an 11-game stay spread over just under two months.

He has become a regular member of the Boro first team squad, appearing at both left-back and centre-back.