Shawcross signs five-and-a-half year Stoke contract

Jan 3, 2013 7:20:00 PM

The England international has penned new deal at Britannia Stadium which will see him remain with the Potters until 2018 much to the delight of his manager Tony Pulis

Stoke City defender Ryan Shawcross has signed a new five-and-half year contract to remain at the Britannia Stadium until 2018.

The 25-year-old had been linked with a move to his former club Manchester United and rivals City, however he has now committed his long-term future to the Potters.

Manager Tony Pulis expressed his delight his captain has penned a new deal at the club.

He told reporters: "It looks like Ryan Shawcross has agreed a new contract, so that's great news for this football Club. I'm delighted that Ryan sees his future here. It's fantastic news for us."

Shawcross has made 190 appearances for Stoke since joining the club on a permanent basis in 2008 from the Red Devils, after initially spending the 2007/8 campaign on loan at Pulis' side.

This season, the centre-back has been the foundation of the Stoke defence which has conceded just 20 goals and this form earned him his first international appearance for England against Sweden in November.

Inside Goal.Com

Top 10 all-time Champions League scorers
As the competition moves within days of its much-anticipated conclusion at Wembley, Goal profiles the most prolific players in its history
'Mario, you will never redeem yourself'
Mario Gotze's injury means the playmaker has now played his final game for Borussia Dortmund. In an open letter, a fan tells of his emotion at his controversial switch to Bayern
Who will start for Kenya against Nigeria in Oliech's absence?
Goal.com reviews Adel Amrouche’s striking options ahead of the June 5 contest, which Kenya must win if they hope to reach the finals to be staged in Brazil
Kenya coach accuses Logarusic of sabotage
Amrouche is at loggerheads with Gor Mahia coach Zdravko Logarusic, whom he accuses of refusing to release the clubs' players to train with the national team
BVB's rise from the abyss to European contenders
BVB have recovered from teetering on the edge of bankruptcy to take their place on Europe's grandest stage, humbling their opponents on Saturday, Bayern Munich, along the way