Middlesbrough star Dael Fry closing in on testimonial but first wants to repay the faith of ex-Real Madrid defender
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DAEL FRY is desperate to get Middlesbrough promoted to pay back Jonathan Woodgate’s faith - and celebrate it all with a testimonial. The 27-year-old defender, who produced a man of the match display in Sunday’s Championship draw with Burnley, has amazingly already surpassed TWO DECADES at his hometown club.
![[Dael Fry is hoping to begin 2025 with a Middlesbrough win at Hull City]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/club-league-logos-live-services-959056682.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
And the start of 2025, which begins with a trip to Yorkshire rivals Hull City today, also means that he is closing in on the ten-year anniversary of his first-team debut. Fry, who won both the U17 European Championship and U20 World Cup with England, was thrust into action amid an injury crisis on the opening day of the 2015/16 season.
![[The Teessider made his debut aged 17 just shy of a decade ago under Aitor Karanka]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/action-images-john-marsh-livepic-217150517.jpg?strip=all&w=770)
The then 17-year-old produced a brilliant performance in the goalless draw away at Preston and ended up making a further six appearances in what transpired to be a promotion-winning campaign under Aitor Karanka. Fry said: “It feels like yesterday. I told my mum and dad and they were absolutely buzzing.
![[Fry is desperate to represent Boro in the Premier League and insists this can be their season]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/club-league-logos-live-services-955141125.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
“I just remember being so nervous but at Preston you walk out in the corner and I saw all the red in the away stand, it was all sold out, and I just thought ‘wow, these are the games you want to play in’. “As soon as the game kicked off the nerves went, we drew 0-0, but it’s mad how quick time goes.”.
Fry spent half of the following season on loan at Rotherham as Boro suffered relegation - and they are still waiting to return to the top-flight. Since then he has amassed 259 appearances for the team he grew up supporting under six different permanent managers.
