Real Madrid have reached an agreement with Middlesbrough over the transfer of defender Jonathan Woodgate, the Spanish club announced tonight, though Middlesbrough stressed no deal has yet been completed.

Woodgate joined Middlesbrough on a year-long loan from Madrid last summer, and the two clubs have now agreed to make the switch permanent in the summer if Woodgate agrees terms.

A statement on the Madrid website said: "Real Madrid and Middlesbrough have today reached an agreement for the transfer of Jonathan Woodgate.

"Real Madrid wants to wish Jonathan Woodgate the best personal and professional success in this new stage of his sporting career."

The 27-year-old defender has flourished at Middlesbrough this season after an injury plagued time in Spain, where he made just nine league appearances in two years after joining Madrid from Newcastle for £13.4million in 2004.

Such has been Woodgate's success at his home-town club during the current campaign, he was on Friday recalled to the England squad for this week's friendly against Spain.

If he plays at Old Trafford on Wednesday, it will be the centre-back's first cap since facing Sweden in March 2004.