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Shay Given has been released by Stoke. EMPICS Sport
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Irish goalkeeping great Shay Given could be set to retire after release from Stoke

The Donegal native made five Premier League appearances this season.

IRISH GOALKEEPING LEGEND Shay Given is set to be released by Stoke City after his current deal runs out on 30 June, the club have confirmed.

The veteran star made five Premier League appearances for Mark Hughes’ side this season but was largely held in reserve despite the club’s regular number one Jack Butland being out injured for most of the campaign.

Donegal native Given has yet to confirm his next move, though at 41, it would be no surprise if he was to bring his illustrious footballing career to an end.

Having been part of the squad for three major tournaments and earned 134 caps, many consider Given to be Ireland’s greatest goalkeeper ever.

In two years at Stoke, he made 11 appearances in total, having previously had stints at Celtic, Blackburn, Newcastle, Man City and Aston Villa.

He was part of the Man City squad that won the FA Cup in 2011 and was twice named in the PFA Team of the Year — in 2002 and 2006.

In addition to being Newcastle’s Player of the Year for the 2005-06 season, he was named FAI Senior International Player of the Year two years on the bounce — in 2005 and 2006.

Given is among six players released by the club, with Daniel Bachmann,  Liam Edwards, Harry Isted, Joel Taylor and George Waring the others to depart.

Meanwhile, Phil Bardsley has signed a contract extension, as have youngsters Lewis Banks, Jack Devlin, Dominic Telford and Mark Waddington.

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