AFTER A LONG-STANDING contract stand-off, Jon Walters has signed a new two-and-a-half year deal with Stoke City.
The Ireland international has committed himself to the Potters until the end of the 2018 season.
Walters was in the final year of his contract at the Britannia Stadium and his future had been cast into doubt with the club unwilling to meet the player’s demands of an extended two-year deal.
The 31-year-old almost left the Potteries in August as negotiations hit a stumbling block but the club rejected a £1.5 million from Norwich City.
Walters has once again highlighted his enduring worth this season with four goals, including a stunning strike in the Capital One Cup win over Chelsea.
“Jon has been with us for more than five years and is very much part of the DNA of the Club,” chief executive Tony Scholes said.
“We’re delighted to have reached an agreement with him that will see him stay with the Club for at least another two-and-a-half years.”
Walters has made more than 200 league and cup appearances for Stoke, scoring 54 goals.
He moved to the Potteries from Ipswich in August 2010 and has become one of Mark Hughes’ most consistent and reliable performers.
The striker has also played an integral part in Ireland’s route to the Euro 2016 play-offs but will miss the first leg against Bosnia-Herzegovina through suspension.
Stoke face Chelsea at the Britannia Stadium this evening at 5.30pm.
