Stoke City have got their transfer window fully underway with a second signing of the window, this time Steven Ireland from Aston Villa. This comes immediately after Stoke’s signing of John Guidetti on loan from Manchester City. Ireland has been on loan at The Britannia since his deadline-day move last summer.
Steven Ireland’s career has gone downhill somewhat, from having a lot of potential with Manchester City as a young player, to being out of favour at Villa following his 2010 move. This included a spell at Newcastle United on loan. The midfielder has also played for the Irish national team, but left in 2007 after controversial circumstances.
Since his summer move, Ireland has had a positive effect at Stoke City, despite only scoring twice in his 13 league appearances. The Potters currently lie 12th in the Premier League, so obviously the 27-year-old has helped Mark Hughes’ cause at the Britannia.
It is believed that Steven Ireland has been allowed to complete his move to Stoke for costless, because of a lack of effect at Villa Park since joining three-and-a-half years ago from Manchester City. This move gives the midfielder the chance to once again work under Mark Hughes on a permanent basis, the manager under whom he enjoyed success at The Citizens before the manager departed in late 2009.
