Ryan Shawcross signs new contract at Stoke

Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross (GETTY IMAGES)

Stoke captain Ryan Shawcross has committed his future to the club by agreeing a new five-and-a-half-year contract. The 25-year-old has been one of Stoke's biggest assets in their five seasons in the Premier League and manager Tony Pulis was desperate for the England defender to sign a new deal.

Pulis said: "It's fantastic for us as a football club. He's been the bedrock of what we've been trying to do over the past five or six years and we're really pleased that he's finally agreed."

Talks had been held since Shawcross indicated he was ready to sign a new deal in November.