Glenn Whelan agrees new deal with Stoke

Republic of Ireland international midfielder Glenn Whelan has signed a new two-year deal with Stoke City, as has Peter Crouch, but the club have yet to tie down the future of Whelan’s Ireland teammate Jonathan Walters.

Whelan, 31, would have been out of contract at the end of the season and had been holding out for a two-year deal with City initially offering just a 12 month extension. However, a new deal has been struck with Whelan expressing his delight the matter has now been resolved.

“I have been here for seven years now and it feels like home,” he said this afternoon. “I have had far more ups than downs, and I absolutely love this place. I enjoy coming in each day and I enjoy the environment.

“It has taken a little bit of time and we have been backward and forward a little bit, but we have got it done now and I am absolutely delighted to be staying here

“To have moved from here would have been very difficult for me to do. I’m just really happy to have got it all done.”

Crouch had been linked with a move away from the club with his existing deal due to expire in June, but is now committed to the club until 2017. Crouch joined Stoke from Tottenham in 2011, while Whelan has been with the Potters since 2008, helping them win promotion to the Premier League later that year.

Walters, meanwhile, is also out-of-contract this but is ready to hammer out a new deal. Walters has been tipped as a target for Crystal Palace and a West Bromwich Albion side but is hoping for a new contract with the Potters.