POTTERS SIGN DEFENDER GIBSON

Stoke City have completed the signing of former Middlesbrough and Norwich City defender Ben Gibson on a three-year deal.

The two-time Championship promotion winner checks-in at the bet365 Stadium following four seasons at Carrow Road during which he made 124 appearances, including 29 as the Canaries claimed the title in 20/21 and 40 in 23/24 as the Norfolk side finished in the play-off places.

Before moving to Norwich, the 31-year-old featured on 204 occasions for his boyhood club, Middlesbrough, helping the Teessiders to the Championship play-off final in 14/15 and automatic promotion to the Premier League the following season.

Burnley’s one-time record signing, who was also called up to England’s senior squad in 2017, arrives in ST4 with significant Championship experience having made 240 of his 392 total career appearances in the second tier to date.

Sporting Director Jonathan Walters said: “Successful teams need leaders, strong characters and experience and Ben gives us all three qualities in abundance.

“Beyond his contributions on the pitch, he sets high standards of himself and others, both on the training ground and off the pitch.

“Having won promotion from the second tier on several occasions during his career, Ben is well versed in knowing what it takes to be successful at this level.

“He was near ever present in a play-off side last season and brings the hunger, mentality and leadership to help drive our club in the right direction.”

Gibson added: “Stoke City is a fantastic club, with lots of history, huge stature and I am looking forward to getting to work.

“I have played here, the atmosphere is fantastic and the fanbase speaks for itself.

“I want to be part of a team that brings the good times back to Stoke.

“There are some brilliant players here and it is now about creating that unity and togetherness to find the camaraderie which will set us on our way to achieving something great.

“We have to build a culture and environment where everyone is demanding of each other, where we don’t accept second best from anyone in this football club from top to bottom.

“Our fans work hard to earn their money every week to come and support us so they need to see a team that reflects them, their personalities and attitude to life.

“It is important we recreate that and they have that connection with the team.”