Shawcross agrees new contract

Today, Stoke centre back Ryan Shawcross has signed a new 4 and a half year deal putting to bed any doubts over his immediate future.

The former Manchester United youth product has been rumoured to return to Old Trafford while Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs have all also been linked.

The 22 year-old says "I had a couple of years left on my deal anyway so there was no rush.' 'It was just a case of making sure that it was the right deal for me and for Stoke. It's the right place. The main reason is that my family's happy here.'

Both Shawcross and Stoke manager Tony Pulis believe that the Potteries is the place to be if Ryan is to break into Fabio Capello`s England squad, the gaffer added "We've talked for a few weeks and Ryan's been very keen to do it. 'He's a level-headed person but he's an ambitious person as well, and his ambition is to play at the top level. 'For him to want to stay here and still believe he can go on to play for England shows his feelings towards the football club.'

Shawcross will make his 89th Stoke appearance on Sunday in the game at the KC Stadium against Hull.

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