Mark Hughes is pleased that Jon Walters has agreed a new two-and-a-half year deal with Stoke City.
Walters almost left the Britannia Stadium in the summer and handed in a transfer request when Norwich City, West Brom and Leicester City were all linked with the 32-year-old striker.
However, Walters eventually stayed with the Potters and played his part in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Chelsea, the Blues’ seventh defeat in 12 Premier League matches this term.
Former Blackburn, Manchester City, QPR and Fulham boss Hughes said: “I just wanted us to re-visit it because I was aware Jon’s people hadn’t come to us and we hadn’t gone to Jon.
“I had conversations with Jon to ask what his mind-set was, and my view was there was an offer still on the table and it was worth re-visiting.
“It’s great news for us. It’s the right decision for everybody.”
Walters has been a regular in the Stoke side since he joined the club from Ipswich Town in the summer of 2010.
The Republic of Ireland international has scored 36 goals in 184 league appearances for City, including efforts against Leicester City and Bournemouth this season.
He has also found the net in the recent Euro 2016 qualifiers against Georgia and Poland and is set to feature in this month’s two-legged play-off against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The first leg takes place on Friday and Martin O’Neill’s side are available at 4.00 to win in Bosnia while a draw can be backed at 3.20 and a victory for the home side at 1.95.
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