It was announced earlier today that Stephen Ireland has signed a new three year contract with Stoke, keeping him in the Potteries until 2017.
As a Stoke fan I feel like this is exceptional news. Ireland has always been a player I have admired, he had some bad games at Aston Villa but I thought he was a stand out player in an expensive Manchester City side.
He came straight into the Stoke side following his loan deal in the summer and then went onto make the switch permanent in January. Much to the delight of his following at The Britannia Stadium.
The 27-year-old has netted three times in 25 appearances this season but has the problem of playing in the same position as Charlie Adam, who if you take out the reckless Olivier Giroud challenge, is having an exceptional season himself, his brace against Manchester United being the highlight.
Stephen Ireland is a Republic of Ireland international, which means he will not be going to the World Cup this summer, but he fitted in at Stoke straight away with fellow countrymen Marc Wilson, Glen Whelan and Jon Walters already on the books and it seems that has helped him find his footing and gain the ability he had before his time at Aston Villa.
The Potters currently sit 10th in The Premier League in Mark Hughes’ maiden season and Ireland has said that Mark Hughes is a big reason for why he signed for the club and why he has signed this extended deal now.
With the Stoke City player of the year awards just weeks away, Ireland is not in the running for Player of the year or goal of the season with Geoff Cameron and Asmir Begovic leading the votes right now and Goal of the season looks to be between Charlie Adam’s rocket against Manchester United, Oussama Assaidi’s thunderbolt against Chelsea of Asmir Begovic’s first ever fluke goal from his own penalty area on a windy day against Southampton.
But there are many other awards on that night of May 6th including young player of the year, golden boot and community champion as well as the player’s and fans player of the year and fan of the year.
After the season Stoke have had already and the fact that they could have secured their highest ever Premier League finish by the night of the awards, I’m sure the fans and the players alike will be able to treat the night as a celebration as well as toasting to Mark Hughes’ incredible debut season.
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