Hughes delight as Stoke’s Afellay extends stay

Ibrahim Afellay will add something extra to the Stoke City team, according to his boss Mark Hughes, after the Dutchman signed a contract extension.

The new deal will keep Afellay, who recently returned to the Stoke first team after a serious knee injury, at the bet365 Stadium until at least the summer of 2019.

And after eight months out Hughes was delighted to secure the Dutch international’s services for the foreseeable future and expects him to be back to his best very soon.

“It’s important to tie up good players and he is another one that we have done so I’m pleased with that,” said Hughes.

“There’s always a little bit of a doubt when players get a significant injury, which clearly Ibi had, but he’s worked exceptionally hard to get back and he’s returned to good effect.

(Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

“We’re really pleased that he is starting to get back to his match sharpness and level again, he gives us that little bit of calmness in possession when he gets on the ball and he can take the sting out of the game.

“People forget that prior to his injury he was arguably one of our better players last year and he has a lot of intelligence as a footballer which we need.

“We’re all really pleased that we’ve been able to retain his services and that he can move forward with us.”