Stephen Ward has ended his five-year association with Burnley, joining Championship club Stoke City on a one-year deal.
Ward has been a bit part player at the Premier League side over the last 12 months, making only three appearances in the league due to a mix of injury and poor form. His contract expired at the end of last season, and he has been on the hunt for a new club.
While the move had been rumoured for a number of days now, Stoke City announced on their official Twitter page this evening that Ward had joined the club.
👋 Stephen Ward becomes our sixth summer signing in less that 24 hours.
The experienced defender joins on an initial one-year deal.#SCFC 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/tRdex8gB5O— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) June 26, 2019
Ward will link up with former Ireland teammate James McClean at the bet365 Stadium, as Stoke hope to make a promotion push in the 19/20 campaign.
Last season was a disappointing one for the club. While they had aimed for an immediate return to the Premier League, they would ultimately end up in a disappointing 16th place. This was despite having one of the highest wage bills in the division.
That would cost manager Gary Rowett his job, and he would be replaced by former Luton boss Nathan Jones. Jones worked wonders with his former club, and will be expected to produce similar results in his new role next season.
Ward joins a long list of Stoke summer signings, with the likes of Nick Powell and Liam Lindsay already having signed for the club.
