Joe Allen ends speculation over quitting relegated Stoke City and signs new four-year deal

Joe Allen ended speculation about his future at Stoke City on Monday by signing a new four-year deal with the club amid interest from a raft of Premier League clubs.

The Welsh midfielder played 36 times as the Potters were relegated to the Championship last season and will stick with them as they seek an immediate return to the top flight.

Allen's previous deal was reported to have three years left on it, with a £25million release clause inserted that only applied to the Premier League's top six.

With none of those sides coming forward to bid for the player and only mid-table clubs showing interest, Allen chose to remain at the bet365 Stadium after Stoke's 10-year stay in the Premier League came to an end last season.

Allen said on the club website: “I spoke to (Stoke CEO) Tony Scholes once the season had ended and he made it very clear that the club weren’t interested in selling me and that they wanted me to stay on.

“That stance from the club, coupled with how settled I am here, how happy I am and how much I’ve enjoyed it, made it pretty straightforward for me.

“As players we have to shoulder responsibility for what happened last season.

"Sometimes in football when things go wrong players try to wash their hands of it but I’m hoping a few more of the lads will have the same target of trying to set the record straight and helping the club bounce straight back.”

New Stoke boss Gary Rowett added: “Joe’s were the first comments that I read at the end of last season and it was clear from what he said that he wanted to atone for what had happened.

"That’s exactly what any club, any set of fans and any manager want to hear – they want players to feel a sense of responsibility.

“For a player of that quality to want to stay, want to commit to the future tells you how good the club is and that he can see potentially a better season ahead.

I’m delighted. He’s exactly the type of player we need because he’s got Premier League quality and he’s also got the mentality to handle life in the Championship in my opinion.”