Editing Stewart Downing (section)

==Club career==
===Middlesbrough===
[[File:Stewart_Downing_2008.jpg|thumb|upright|Downing playing for [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] in 2008]]

Downing was born in [[Middlesbrough]], Teesside, and was a graduate of the [[Middlesbrough F.C. Reserves and Academy|Middlesbrough Academy]].<ref name=Hugman1011/>

Downing signed his first professional contract on 6 September 2001.<ref name=Hugman1011/> His debut came on 24 April 2002 in a [[Premier League]] match away to [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]], playing the full 90 minutes of a 1–0 loss at [[Portman Road]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Ipswich gain crucial win |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1945521.stm |access-date=12 September 2015 |website=BBC Sport |date=24 April 2002}}</ref> He was limited to just three appearances during the [[2001–02 Middlesbrough F.C. season|2001–02]] season, plus a further three in the following [[2002–03 Middlesbrough F.C. season|2002–03]] season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=31018&season_id=131 |title=Stewart Downing - 2001/02 |publisher=Soccerbase |access-date=8 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=31018&season_id=132 |title=Stewart Downing - 2002/03 |publisher=Soccerbase |access-date=8 May 2021}}</ref> His first senior goal came on 1 October 2002 in a 4–1 [[EFL Cup|League Cup]] second round away victory over [[Brentford F.C.|Brentford]], coming on as a substitute to conclude the scoring at [[Griffin Park]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Brentford 1–4 Middlesbrough |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/2281360.stm |access-date=12 September 2015 |website=BBC Sport |date=1 October 2002}}</ref>

On 30 October 2003, Downing went on a one-month loan to [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]], of the [[Football League First Division|First Division]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Downing joins Sunderland |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/3224527.stm |access-date=12 September 2015 |website=BBC Sport |date=30 October 2003}}</ref> He scored three goals in seven matches for [[Mick McCarthy]]'s Black Cats team, starting on 4 November when he equalised in a 3–1 win at [[Gillingham F.C.|Gillingham]], also assisting [[John Oster]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Magee |first1=Aidan |title=Financial worries fail to fluster McCarthy's men |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/nov/05/match.gillingham |access-date=12 September 2015 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=5 November 2003}}</ref>

Having scored as many goals on his loan as Middlesbrough's top scorer [[Szilárd Németh]] had recorded all season, Downing was recalled from his loan on 11 December due to injury to [[Juninho Paulista|Juninho]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Recall for Downing |url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/recall-for-downing-3838101 |access-date=12 September 2015 |newspaper=Evening Gazette |location=Middlesbrough |date=11 December 2003}}</ref> He was a regular for the remainder of the season, but was an unused substitute on 29 February 2004, when they won the [[2004 Football League Cup Final|2004 League Cup Final]] against [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]].<ref name=2004LC>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/3507795.stm |title=Boro lift Carling Cup |website=BBC Sport |date=29 February 2004 |access-date=22 December 2017}}</ref>

The [[2004–05 Middlesbrough F.C. season|2004–05 season]] saw Downing make 49 appearances, scoring six goals, as well as providing numerous assists.{{citation needed|date=September 2016}} In a [[2004–05 UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup]] match against [[S.S. Lazio|Lazio]] in November 2004, both Downing and Zenden were in the starting line-up.<ref name="auto">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/3967469.stm |title=Middlesbrough 2-0 Lazio |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 November 2004 |access-date=8 May 2021}}</ref> Though Zenden scored both goals in the 2–0 victory, Downing drew praise for his performance down the left.<ref name="auto"/> Such performances that season saw him called up to [[Sven-Göran Eriksson]]'s [[England national football team|England squad]] in February 2005 for a friendly against the [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4232731.stm |title=England call up Johnson & Downing |website=BBC Sport |date=5 February 2005 |access-date=3 September 2008}}</ref>

A knee injury saw Downing sidelined for five months at the end of 2005,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4838530.stm |title=World Cup scouting&nbsp;– Stewart Downing |website=BBC Sport |date=25 March 2006 |access-date=3 September 2008 |first=Ian |last=Hughes}}</ref> though he returned to play his part in the run to the [[2006 UEFA Cup Final]], including three assists in the 4–2 (4–3 [[two-legged match|agg]]) victory over [[FC Steaua București|Steaua București]] in the semi-final second leg.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4933504.stm |title=M'brough 4–2 S B'chrst (agg 4–3) |website=BBC Sport |date=27 April 2006 |access-date=3 September 2008}}</ref> He started in the final as Middlesbrough were beaten 4–0 by [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]] at the [[Philips Stadion]].<ref name=2006UC>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4751467.stm |title=Middlesbrough 0–4 Sevilla |website=BBC Sport |date=10 May 2006 |access-date=27 November 2017}}</ref>

On 26 February 2008, Downing signed a new five-year contract, keeping him signed on at Middlesbrough until summer 2013.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/middlesbrough/7225057.stm |title=Downing signs new Boro contract |website=BBC Sport |date=26 February 2008 |access-date=3 September 2008}}</ref> With the departure of [[Mark Schwarzer]] in May 2008, Downing became Middlesbrough's second longest serving player after [[Brad Jones (footballer)|Brad Jones]].{{citation needed|date=September 2016}}

The [[2008–09 Middlesbrough F.C. season|2008–09]] season was a mixed one for Downing.{{citation needed|date=September 2016}} Middlesbrough had their best start to the season in six years which saw them climb to 8th in the table, however, a terrible winless run which started in November 2008 saw them fall into the relegation zone.{{citation needed|date=September 2016}} On 5 January 2009, he handed in a written transfer request expressing his desire to leave the club but the request was turned down on the same day.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/middlesbrough/7810560.stm |title=Boro determined to keep Downing |website=BBC Sport |date=5 January 2009 |access-date=5 January 2009}}</ref> In the penultimate match of the season, he sustained a foot injury after a challenge from [[Stiliyan Petrov]] in a home match against [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] in May 2009, which needed an operation, ruling him out for at least four months.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/may/21/stewart-downing-middlesbrough-england |title=Stewart Downing to undergo foot surgery |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=13 September 2014}}</ref> After spending the whole of the second half of the season in the relegation zone, Middlesbrough were relegated on the final day after they lost 2–1 away at [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8048322.stm |title=West Ham 2–1 Middlesbrough |website=BBC Sport |access-date=14 August 2013 |first=Mark |last=Ashenden |date=24 May 2009}}</ref> Downing, having started every league match, except the last match, ended the season with no league goals, having only scored two against West Ham United in the [[FA Cup]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/7872193.stm |title=West Ham 1–1 Middlesbrough |website=BBC Sport |access-date=14 August 2013 |first=Julian |last=Shea |date=14 February 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/7899656.stm |title=Middlesbrough 2–0 West Ham |website=BBC Sport |access-date=14 August 2013 |first=David |last=Ornstein |date=25 February 2009}}</ref>

===Aston Villa===
[[File:Stewart Downing Villa.jpg|thumb|upright|Downing playing for [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] in 2010]]

Following Middlesbrough's relegation, Downing signed a four-year contract with Aston Villa, becoming [[Martin O'Neill]]'s first signing of the 2009 Summer transfer window for a fee of £10&nbsp;million with an extra £2&nbsp;million to be paid depending on appearances.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/boro-fc/boro-fc-news/2009/07/20/boro-won-t-splash-downing-cash-84229-24195692/ |title=Boro won't splash Downing cash |newspaper=Evening Gazette |location=Middlesbrough |date=20 July 2009 |access-date=20 July 2009}}</ref> On 7 November 2009, O'Neill announced that Downing had returned to full training following his injury against Villa while playing for Middlesbrough during 2008–09.{{citation needed|date=September 2016}} Downing made his Aston Villa debut on as a 69th-minute substitute for [[Steve Sidwell]] in the away match against [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8351034.stm |title=Burnley 1–1 Aston Villa |website=BBC Sport |first=Paul |last=Fletcher |date=21 November 2009}}</ref> He scored his first goal for Villa in the League Cup fourth round tie against [[Portsmouth]] at [[Fratton Park]] on 1 December 2009.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/8386401.stm |title=Portsmouth 2–4 Aston Villa |website=BBC Sport |date=1 December 2009 |access-date=1 December 2009 |first=Phil |last=Dawkes}}</ref>

Downing's return to action saw him returning to his preferred left wing role, with [[James Milner]] moving to central midfield for Villa.{{citation needed|date=September 2016}} Downing played in Villa's first win at [[Old Trafford]] against [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] since 1983 on 12 December 2009 in their 1–0 victory over the Red Devils.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8402301.stm |title=Man Utd 0-1 Aston Villa |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 December 2009 |access-date=8 May 2021}}</ref> Downing then went on to score his first and second league goal for Villa in their 5–2 win against Burnley on 2 February 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/a-villa-vs-burnley/175382 |title=A Villa 5-2 Burnley - Match Report & Highlights |publisher=Sky Sports |date=21 February 2010 |access-date=8 May 2021}}</ref> His second season with Aston Villa had been a much improved one,{{citation needed|date=September 2016}} he scored the first Premier League goal of the season against West Ham United at Villa Park on 14 August in a 3–0 win.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8906162.stm |title=Aston Villa 3–0 West Ham |website=BBC Sport |access-date=13 August 2013 |date=14 August 2010}}</ref> In the final match of the season, Downing scored his eighth against Liverpool at [[Villa Park]] with the result ending 1–0; during the 2010–11 season, Downing made 44 appearances and scored eight goals in all competitions.<ref name=sb1011/> Downing was the subject of speculation over the summer, with [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] showing interest in the winger. On 6 July, Liverpool tabled a bid of £15&nbsp;million for Downing but this was rejected by Villa, who said they would not let Downing go for less than £20m.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/skysportsnews/story/0,28679,19494_7022252,00.html |title=Liverpool fail in Downing bid |website=Sky Sports |date=6 July 2011 |access-date=13 July 2011}}</ref>
New Villa manager [[Alex McLeish]] then stated that Downing was not for sale and he would not be leaving Villa in the summer.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11677_7024478,00.html |title=McLeish&nbsp;– Downing not for sale |website=Sky Sports |date=7 July 2011 |access-date=13 July 2011}}</ref> However, on 13 July 2011, a fee was agreed between Aston Villa and Liverpool for the transfer of Downing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/reds-agree-downing-fee |title=Reds agree Downing fee |publisher=Liverpool F.C. |date=13 July 2011 |access-date=13 July 2011}}</ref>

===Liverpool===
[[File:Stewart Downing protests Liverpool vs Bolton 2011.jpg|thumb|upright|Downing playing for [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] in 2011]]

Downing completed his move to Liverpool on 15 July 2011, for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around £20&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/reds-seal-downing-deal |title=Reds seal Downing deal&nbsp;– Liverpool FC |publisher=Liverpool F.C. |date=16 July 2011 |access-date=27 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120201202532/http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/reds-seal-downing-deal |archive-date=1 February 2012}}</ref> On 13 August 2011, Downing made his debut in Liverpool's first match of the [[2011–12 Premier League]], in a 1–1 draw against Sunderland at [[Anfield]], playing the full 90 minutes.{{citation needed|date=September 2016}} On 20 August 2011, he started and played the full 90 minutes against [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] in a 2–0 victory at the [[Emirates Stadium]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/8695430/Liverpool-1-Sunderland-1-match-report.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/8695430/Liverpool-1-Sunderland-1-match-report.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Liverpool 1 Sunderland 1 |date=13 August 2011 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=16 August 2011 |location=London |first=Rory |last=Smith}}{{cbignore}}</ref> On 6 January 2012, Downing scored his first goal for Liverpool against [[Oldham Athletic A.F.C.|Oldham Athletic]] at Anfield in the third round of the FA Cup.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16361616.stm |title=Liverpool 5–1 Oldham |website=BBC Sport |access-date=13 September 2014}}</ref> On 26 February he won the [[2012 Football League Cup Final|League Cup]] with Liverpool, scoring his penalty in the shoot-out and winning the [[Alan Hardaker Trophy]] as Man of the Match.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2920/league-cup/2012/02/26/2931098/league-cup-winning-liverpool-winger-stewart-downing-hails"League-Cup |title=winning Liverpool winger Stewart Downing hails "brilliant" Cardiff City" |website=Goal.com |access-date=13 September 2014}}</ref> On 18 March 2012 he scored the winner in a 2–1 victory over [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]] in the FA Cup quarter-final, securing a second [[Wembley Stadium|Wembley]] visit for Liverpool in the semi-finals in what was described as "his most telling Liverpool contribution" so far.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17330266 |title=Liverpool 2–1 Stoke |website=BBC Sport |access-date=13 August 2013}}</ref>

Downing scored the winner in Liverpool's first match of [[2012–13 Liverpool F.C. season|2012–13]], a left foot shot in a [[UEFA Europa League]] match against [[FC Gomel|Gomel]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/brendan-s-gomel-pride |title=Brendan's Gomel pride |publisher=Liverpool F.C. |date=2 August 2012 |access-date=27 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825091106/http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/brendan-s-gomel-pride |archive-date=25 August 2012}}</ref> On 30 August 2012, Downing was deployed as a [[left back]] against [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Hearts]].<ref>{{cite news |first1=Jamie |last1=Jackson |first2=Stuart |last2=James |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/aug/28/brendan-rodgers-stewart-downing-liverpool |title=Downing may have to play left-back if he wants to stay at Liverpool |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=28 August 2012 |access-date=15 April 2017}}</ref> He scored the winning and only goal against [[FC Anzhi Makhachkala|Anzhi Makhachkala]] at Anfield in the [[2012–13 UEFA Europa League|Europa League]]. After the match, he was praised by manager [[Brendan Rodgers]] saying "It's been a tough time. He's had a rough ride but he's an important member of our team."<ref>{{cite news |title=Liverpool's Stewart Downing acclaimed by Brendan Rodgers |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20091018 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=26 October 2012 |date=25 October 2012}}</ref> On 22 December, he made his first league assist and scored his first league goal in a 4–0 win against [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20738392 |title=Liverpool 4–0 Fulham |author=Mandeep Sanghera |website=BBC Sport |access-date=13 September 2014}}</ref> He scored his second league goal for the club on 2 March 2013, opening the scoring in a 4–0 win away to [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]], with a header from a [[Philippe Coutinho]] cross.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21556751 |title=Wigan 0–4 Liverpool |author=Saj Chowdhury |website=BBC Sport |access-date=13 September 2014}}</ref> In Liverpool's next match, Downing scored the equaliser against [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]], in a 3–2 home victory for Liverpool.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/liverpool-3-tottenham-hotspur-2-match-report-no-bale-out-this-time-as-suarez-forces-spurs-to-pay-the-penalty-8528238.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/liverpool-3-tottenham-hotspur-2-match-report-no-bale-out-this-time-as-suarez-forces-spurs-to-pay-the-penalty-8528238.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Liverpool 3 Tottenham Hotspur 2 match report: No Bale out this time as Suarez forces Spurs to pay the penalty |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |first=Tim |last=Rich |date=11 March 2013}}</ref> This marked Downing's fifth goal in all competitions and his last goal for Liverpool.<ref name=sb1213/>

===West Ham United===
[[File:Stewart Downing.jpg|thumb|upright|Downing playing for [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] in 2014]]

On 13 August 2013, Downing signed a four-year contract with West Ham United for an undisclosed fee which was reported to be in the region of £5m.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.whufc.com/articles/20130813/hammers-capture-downing_2236884_3347140 |title=Hammers capture Downing |publisher=West Ham United F.C. |access-date=14 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130815213419/http://www.whufc.com/articles/20130813/hammers-capture-downing_2236884_3347140 |archive-date=15 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23665483 |title=Stewart Downing: West Ham sign Liverpool's England winger |website=BBC Sport |access-date=14 August 2013}}</ref> He made his debut for the club, coming on as a substitute for [[Matt Jarvis]] in the 2–0 home win against [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]] at [[Upton Park, London|Upton Park]] on the opening day of the [[2013–14 West Ham United F.C. season|2013–14 season]] on 17 August 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.london24.com/sport/west-ham/allardyce_hails_downing_s_debut_cameo_as_hammers_see_off_cardiff_1_2341614 |title=Allardyce hails Downing's debut cameo as Hammers see off Cardiff |website=London24 |access-date=18 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130821194528/http://www.london24.com/sport/west-ham/allardyce_hails_downing_s_debut_cameo_as_hammers_see_off_cardiff_1_2341614 |archive-date=21 August 2013}}</ref>
Downing scored his first goal for West Ham on 3 May 2014 in a 2–0 home win against Tottenham Hotspur.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/matchday/matches/2013-2014/epl.html/west-ham-vs-spurs|title=Fixture &#124; West Ham vs Spurs}}</ref>

In the 2014–15 season, Downing scored his first goal of the season against [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] in a 3–1 away win on 23 August 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/crystal-palace-vs-west-ham-united/1703519/report |title=Crystal Palace 1–3 West Ham: Zarate on target as managerless Eagles well beaten |website=Goal.com |access-date=23 August 2014}}</ref> Downing continued his fine form for West Ham in a diamond formation which saw him being deployed in a central role.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11662/9505700/stewart-downing-thriving-in-west-hams-diamond-formation |title=Stewart Downing thriving in West Ham diamond formation |website=Sky Sports |access-date=5 October 2014}}</ref> On 1 November 2014, Downing scored for West Ham against Stoke City in a 2–2 away draw, with West Ham coming from two goals down to draw 2–2.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29768017 |title=West Ham showed they have some steel to go with their new-found attacking flair after salvaging a point against Stoke thanks to a spirited late comeback. |website=BBC Sport |access-date=1 November 2014}}</ref> Downing scored his third goal of the season against Sunderland in a 1–1 draw away from home on 13 December 2014.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/dec/13/sunderland-west-ham-premier-league-match-report |title=Sunderland draw for 10th time after Stuart Downing equalises for West Ham |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=13 December 2014}}</ref> A week later, he scored against [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]], curling a left-footed shot from 20 yards as West Ham won 2–0.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2014-12-19 |title=West Ham United 2-0 Leicester City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30459792 |access-date=2025-01-04 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref>

===Return to Middlesbrough===
On 16 July 2015, Downing returned to boyhood club [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]], signing a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee, reported to be in the region of £5.5 million, potentially rising to £7 million if the club were to gain promotion to the [[Premier League]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mfc.co.uk/news/article/2014/middlesbrough-fc-boro-west-ham-stewart-downing-2552314.aspx |title=Stewart Downing Completes Boro Move From West Ham |publisher=Middlesbrough F.C. |date=16 July 2015 |access-date=16 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Stewart Downing: Middlesbrough sign West Ham winger |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33538843 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=16 July 2015}}</ref> The first match of his return was on 9 August 2015, a goalless draw away to [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]] in the first [[EFL Championship|Championship]] match of the season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11688/9943123/preston-0-0-middlesbrough |title=Preston 0-0 Middlesbrough: Boro forced to settle for stalemate |publisher=Sky Sports |date=9 August 2015 |access-date=8 May 2021}}</ref> On 12 September 2015, he netted the first goal of his second spell, to open a 2–0 win over [[Milton Keynes Dons F.C.|Milton Keynes Dons]] at the Riverside.<ref>{{cite news |title=Middlesbrough 2–0 MK Dons |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34160236 |access-date=12 September 2015 |website=BBC Sport |date=12 September 2015}}</ref> Middlesbrough secured promotion on the final day of the season, after a 1–1 draw with promotion rivals [[Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.|Brighton & Hove Albion]] at home, gaining automatic promotion as runners-up.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1098932/middlesbrough-promoted-to-the-premier-league/|title=Middlesbrough strike it rich with Premier League promotion|newspaper=[[The Express Tribune]]|date=7 May 2016|access-date=11 May 2016}}</ref>

Downing faced competition ahead of the club's [[2016–17 Premier League|first season return in the top flight]] with the signings of [[Gastón Ramírez]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Gaston Ramirez joins Middlesbrough on three-year deal |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11680/10505324/gaston-ramirez-joins-middlesbrough-on-three-year-deal |website=Sky Sports |date=22 July 2016 |access-date=22 June 2017}}</ref> [[Viktor Fischer]] and [[Adama Traoré (footballer, born 1996)|Adama Traoré]].<ref>[http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/middlesbrough-fc-start-premier-league-11386473 Middlesbrough FC start Premier league upgrade as Danish winger Viktor Fischer signs from Ajax] Gazette Live, 26 May 2016</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mfc.co.uk/news/article/2016/middlesbrough-fc-adama-traore-aston-villa-deadline-day-3283945.aspx|title=Deadline day: Aston Villa's Adama Traore joins Boro|publisher=Middlesbrough F.C.|date=31 August 2016|access-date=31 August 2016}}</ref> In January 2017, Middlesbrough announced that they would allow Downing to leave on loan during that winter transfer window, as Downing had not been a regular starter throughout the league campaign.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38555123|title=Stewart Downing: Middlesbrough happy to loan out winger in January|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=9 January 2017|access-date=26 May 2021}}</ref> Despite interest from [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]], no move materialised and Downing remained at the club.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/01/11/stewart-downing-tussle-middlesbrough-crystal-palace-move/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/01/11/stewart-downing-tussle-middlesbrough-crystal-palace-move/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Stewart Downing in tussle with Middlesbrough over Crystal Palace move|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=11 January 2017 |accessdate=26 May 2021 |last1=Edwards |first1=Luke }}{{cbignore}}</ref> Downing suffered a second relegation with Middlesbrough, when they were relegated down to the Championship.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/39854503 |title=Bye Boro! Middlesbrough relegated from Premier League |date=9 May 2017 |access-date=4 June 2017 |website=CBBC Newsround}}</ref>

After relegation, Downing was informed by new manager [[Garry Monk]] that he could leave the club.<ref>{{cite news |title=Downing told he can leave 'Boro by Garry Monk |url=http://www.teamtalk.com/news/downing-told-he-can-leave-boro-by-garry-monk |access-date=22 June 2017 |website=Teamtalk |date=22 June 2017}}</ref> [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] manager [[Harry Redknapp]] offered Downing a two-year contract,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/10992869/stewart-downing-in-talks-with-birmingham-city-over-transfer|title=Stewart Downing in talks with Birmingham City over transfer|publisher=Sky Sports|date=17 August 2017|access-date=26 May 2021}}</ref> with Redknapp stating that he is a "keen admirer" of the player.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/birmingham-city-target-stewart-downing-13543803|title=Birmingham City target Stewart Downing: How the land lies at Middlesbrough|date=29 August 2017 |access-date=26 May 2021}}</ref> The transfer fell through, though Downing soon regained his place at Middlesbrough after [[Tony Pulis]] replaced Monk in December.<ref>{{cite news |title=In an ideal world Tony Pulis says he would sign another Stewart Downing |url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/ideal-world-tony-pulis-says-15064902}} ''Evening Gazette'' Retrieved 24 August 2018</ref> Downing was one of four players released by Middlesbrough at the end of the [[2018–19 EFL Championship|2018–19 season]], having totalled 404 appearances in his two spells at the club.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48458657|title=Stewart Downing: Former England winger among four to leave Middlesbrough|date=30 May 2019|access-date=30 May 2019|website=BBC Sport}}</ref>

===Blackburn Rovers===
Downing signed for [[EFL Championship|Championship]] club [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]] on 21 June 2019 on a one-year contract.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48720703 |title=Stewart Downing: Blackburn Rovers sign former Middlesbrough winger |website=BBC Sport |date=21 June 2019 |access-date=21 June 2019}}</ref> He scored his first goal for Blackburn in an [[EFL Cup]] second round tie against [[Oldham Athletic]] on 13 August, a 3–2 home win.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49245429 |title=Blackburn 3–2 Oldham |date=13 August 2019 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=13 August 2019}}</ref> Despite being an ever-present throughout the [[2019–20 EFL Championship|2019–20 season]], Downing's departure from the club was announced on 24 June 2020 on the expiration of his contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2020/june/rovers-confirm-retain-list/|title=Rovers confirm Retain List|access-date=26 May 2021|date=24 June 2020}}</ref>

Despite his previous exit, Downing signed a new contract with Blackburn that November.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54782214 |title=Stewart Downing: Blackburn Rovers re-sign former England midfielder |date=2 November 2020 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=2 November 2020}}</ref> He once again left the club at the end of his existing contract, this confirmed days after the [[2020–21 EFL Championship|2020–21 season]] concluded.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Charlie Mulgrew confirms Rovers departure after five years (Downing Departure Also Confirmed) |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/19291666.charlie-mulgrew-confirms-rovers-departure-five-years/ |publisher=Lancashire Telegraph|date=10 May 2021}}</ref> After his departure was confirmed, Downing stated that he was pondering his future in football, though admitted that he would "probably" retire which he did in August 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stewart-downing-pondering-future-probably-20678936|title=Stewart Downing pondering future but will 'probably retire' after Blackburn Rovers exit|publisher=Teesside Live|accessdate=26 May 2021|date=26 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58059148|title=Ex-England winger Downing retires|work=BBC Sport }}</ref>