Joe Allen signs Stoke City extension

Stoke City midfielder Joe Allen has agreed a new four-year deal with the club.

The Welshman was linked with a move away from Stoke following their relegation from the Premier League, but Allen has now agreed terms to stay until 2022.

"I spoke to [chief executive] 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," the 28-year-old told Stoke's official website.

"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."

Stoke's first new recruit this summer was Nigeria international Oghenekaro Peter Etebo, who signed last week.