Williams signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract with Boro yesterday.
“I’ve always said I wanted to stay,” the 23-year-old told the Evening Gazette.
“I’ve never been in to see the manager (Tony Mowbray) or the chairman to say I wanted to leave.
“I get along with the manager, I get along with all the boys, I’ve been here since I was a kid, so I know the area. I’m really settled so I’m delighted it’s been sorted.
“Knowing that the chairman turned down a deal made me feel more wanted here and after that I rang up and said ‘Let’s get this thing sorted’. I’m happy here and if the chairman thinks that highly of me, then why not stay? I’m ready to kick on now.”
Williams was linked with a move to Bolton in the January transfer window.
“I had a word with the gaffer recently and said ‘I want to get this sorted’,” added Williams.
“To firstly kick all the speculation, but to also know where my future was going to be I had a word with the gaffer and he said ‘we are going to be stronger next year’, so it’s going to be great, the future looks bright and I’m looking forward to it.
“The club showed their commitment to me by turning deals down and looking after me through my injuries and also bringing me through the youth ranks so I’m just over the moon and so is all my family.”
He added: “I want to get us into the Premier League. Everyone wants to play in the Premier League and I want to do it with this club.
“I don’t see the point of going anywhere else and being a squad player when I can be here with the lads I’ve grown up with and take Middlesbrough up.”
