Stoke in talks over extending Ryan Shawcross’ Stoke stay

Ryan Shawcross: Benitez eyes deal for Stoke defender

Ryan Shawcross: Benitez eyes deal for Stoke defender

Stoke chief executive Tony Scholes has confirmed the club are in talks over a contract extension with talismanic defender Ryan Shawcross.

The 29-year-old centre-back agreed a six-year term in November 2012, but will soon enter the final year of his contract and talks have been on-going about extending that stay.

“When you’ve got important players, you want to do something sooner rather than later,” Scholes told The Sentinel.

“But that is a very simple statement about what can be a very complicated and long process.

“There’s always talks. People talk about ‘have talks started?’ We’ve been in contact.

“He’s been a great player for the club, he’s been here a number of years now, been a huge part of what the club has achieved over the years and we hope that will remain the case for many years to come.”

Shawcross has made 382 appearances for Stoke since joining in a bargain £2million deal in January 2008.

The defender has also been capped by England once in 2012, but his time in a Three Lions shirt was shortlived with his appearance coinciding with Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s four goals for Sweden.