Stoke winger Liam Lawrence has agreed a new four-year contract to stay at the Britannia Stadium. The 27-year-old Republic of Ireland international has been in discussions for a couple of weeks with the Potters looking to secure the future of key players.

He becomes the fourth player to commit his future to the club after defender Andy Wilkinson and midfielders Salif Diao and Rory Delap all signed new contracts in the last week.

The new deal ties Lawrence to the club for a further two seasons on improved personal terms.

“I’m over the moon to have signed the deal,” he said. “I always knew it would get done, there was never any question of that, and now I can concentrate on performing on the pitch.

“The club has changed so much from when I first came here, it’s a different world.

“Now to know that I will be spending the best years of my career here is fantastic.”

Chief executive Tony Scholes said the player had been rewarded for his and Stoke’s success over recent seasons.

“We’re delighted that Liam has agreed the new deal,” he told stokecityfc.com.

“Liam has been an important part of what’s been achieved at the club over the last three years and he fully deserves this new deal.”