Stephen Ward leaves Stoke City

Championship outfit Stoke City have announced that Republic of Ireland international Stephen Ward has left the Potters after spending the 2019/2020 season at the Bet 365 Stadium.

Ward, who announced his retirement from international football last year has spent 13 years in England since signing for Wolves from Bohemians back in January of 2007.

Following his arrival at Molineux, the Dubliner enjoyed a seven-year spell in which he played in many positions including centre forward, which helped him to score some memorable goals, including a winning goal against Liverpool at Anfield back in 2010.

During that spell, Ward was also an influential part of the Republic of Ireland side that qualified for Euro 2012 through a play-off against Estonia.

Ward scored for the Republic of Ireland in a 1-1 draw in the second leg of the tie after the Boys in Green thrashed Estonia 4-0 in Tallinn in the first leg.

In 2014, Ward would leave Wolves for Burnley where he would link up with fellow countrymen Kevin Long and Steven Reid.

The Portmarnock native would stay at Turf Moor for five seasons before departing to join Stoke in the summer of 2019.

Ward turns 35 next month so it will be interesting to see what his next move in football will be.

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