Transfer news from Stoke City as Sheffield United favorite Enda Stevens joins on a one-year contract

Stoke City have confirmed Enda Stevens as their first signing of the summer – and Alex Neil’s first permanent recruit.

The 32-year-old left-back has agreed a one-year contract after ending a six-year stay at Sheffield United, where he twice won promotion to the Premier League.

He completed the deal at Clayton Wood yesterday and will link up with his new teammates today ahead of Saturday’s first friendly of pre-season at Notts County. The squad will then travel to Spain for a week-long training camp.

Technical director Ricky Martin said: “Enda is a really strong addition to the squad, he brings the mentality of a serial winner – especially within the Championship – and we see his character and experiences as beneficial to the culture within the dressing room.

He knows the standards required to succeed in the Championship and in recent seasons has shown his ability to perform in the Premier League and at the international level too, which is a pedigree we need within the squad.

“To be able to recruit a player of Enda’s caliber is a good start to our recruitment this summer and we look forward to seeing the positive influence he has on his teammates, both those already within our squad and those that follow him into the club in the coming weeks.”

Stevens, who has had two injury-disrupted seasons, is looking forward to a new chapter in his career.

He said: “I am delighted to be here and really excited to work with the gaffer and the boys this week before heading out to Spain for the training camp.

“It feels like the club is at the start of an ambitious project and I see another chance to be successful.

“Stoke City is a club of strong stature and, if we can play in a similar way to the Alex Neil teams I’ve come up against in the past, I have a belief that we can be really competitive in the Championship this season.”