Stoke City sign striker Jon Walters
Stoke City have announced that they have completed the signing of striker Jon Walters from Football League Championship outfit Ipswich Town. The 26-year-old had two years left to run on his contract at Portman Road but has penned a four-year deal with the English Premier League club for a fee of £2.75m, which could rise to £3.25m depending on appearances.
Walters, who can also operate as a right winger, joins club record signing Kenwyne Jones as the latest arrivals at the club as manager Tony Pulis aims to add more goals to the team’s defensive strengths.
Pulis told Stoke’s official website of his delight at snapping up the highly rated Republic of Ireland B international. He said that: "I have been looking to bring more goals to the squad and Jon certainly fits that bill. He has been one of the outstanding performers in the Championship over the past three years and I am confident the lad can make the same sort of impact in the Premier League now that he has been given this opportunity. The fact that he is versatile will increase competition for places in the squad which is something we have been looking to achieve."
Good form
Walters joined Ipswich three years ago and had netted 30 goals in 135 league appearances for the club. He was rewarded for his efforts when he received recognition at international level and was to be the captain of Roy Keane’s team this season before moving on to Stoke. Walters has also spent time at Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers and Hull City.
The striker told of his delight at moving up to the top flight. "I am excited about moving here and it is the fulfillment of a long-term goal of mine to get back into the Premier League. I had a sniff of it in my time at Bolton, but I knew that in dropping down the leagues, it would take a lot of hard work to get back there one day.”
Tags: