STRONG and consistent defender Jonathan began the 2007/08 season as Boro's Reserve team skipper.

Born in Thornaby where he represented St Patrick's School, he came through the youth system at the club and played in the side which 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.

He 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.

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.

After impressing during the summer of 2009, Jonathan was preferred at left-back to Andrew Taylor for the start of the season proper.