Rhys Williams agrees to Middlesbrough deal extension

Williams hopes to be part of the Australia side for the 2010 World Cup

Middlesbrough defender Rhys Williams has signed a contract extension that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2013.

The 21-year-old enjoyed a settled run in the first team before picking up a pelvic injury at the start of 2010 and is delighted to have signed a new deal.

"It wasn't really a difficult decision to commit to a new contract," the Australia international said.

"Until my injury I've been in the team and happy."

Having spent the end of last season on loan at Burnley, who were eventually promoted to the Premier League via the play-offs, Williams has experience of the sharp end of Championship football.

And with the Fifa World Cup finals in South Africa looming large, the Perth-born player has his eyes on a perfect summer with club and country.

If I can help Boro win promotion and play at the World Cup that would be the perfect scenario Rhys Williams

"Now my aim is to win promotion with Boro. That's what all the lads want and the gaffer too. We all want to get the club into the Premier League and we believe we can do it," he said.

"If I can help Boro win promotion and play at the World Cup that would be the perfect scenario.

"Pim Verbeek, the Australia manager, has been to Boro games along with his assistants and he's more likely to come now that [fellow Australia international] Scott McDonald is here too."

Williams, who also featured for Wales Under-21s before opting to play for Australia, has made 22 career appearances for the Teessiders, scoring three goals.