Odemwingie looking to repay faith



The 33-year-old has agreed a deal which will keep him at the Britannia Stadium until the end of next season with the option of a further 12 months.

After making his comeback last season following eight months out with a knee injury the Nigerian is keen to give something back to the Potters.

"I'm very happy that the club have shown me tremendous support after some very tough times," he told stokecityfc.com.

"I'm happy that Stoke trust my ability in helping to improve and push the team on to greater things, so I'm delighted to still be a part of that.

"I have had to really push myself hard, so this new contract extension is a reward for all the effort I have put in but also for the medical staff that did a great job supporting me along the way.

"I really want to repay the club for having faith in me and I'm thankful for the support that everybody connected with the club has given me.

"I didn't want to leave on a note like this, I started very well here and I want to have a good season this year, which I have every faith in doing.

"Mark Hughes has big ambitions and hopefully we can do better in one of the cup competitions whilst maintaining a top-half finish."

Manager Hughes' ambitions stretch into the transfer market where he is trying to tie up a £12million deal for Inter Milan winger Xherdan Shaqiri.

Former Potters favourite Terry Conroy believes it sends out the right message.

"I'm excited by the chance to get Shaqiri and it certainly shows the ambition the club has," he told The Sentinel.

"Stoke is not prepared to just deal in the lower basement but go for players like this.

"Mark Hughes has been astute spending-wise up to now and you did wonder if he was going to carry on looking for bargains but trying to sign this fella gives a very positive feel to the club's ambition."

Source : PA

Source: PA