Everton news: Stoke City sign Ashley Williams on season-long loan deal from Merseyside club

ASHLEY WILLIAMS has joined Stoke City on a season-long loan deal from Everton to become the Potters’ sixth summer signing.

Gary Rowett made his move for the 33-year-old Wales captain after Aston Villa played hardball to rejected his attempts to sign top target James Chester.

Now, having failed to land one Wales defender, Rowett has turned to Chester’s 79-times-capped international teammate Williams to bolster his backline.

However Williams revealed it took a little bit of persuasion from another determined Dragon to convince him to drop down from the Prem.

He confessed: “Joe Allen is one of my best friends, we speak most days and the fact that he’s a Stoke player was one of the reasons why I wanted to come here.

“We’ve spoken a lot over the last couple of days and he’s told me all about the Club and how it works and what I can expect.

“Joe’s decision to sign a new contract earlier this summer was obviously a big thing for the Club and it showed how serious Stoke are about getting back into the Premier League.”

Manager Gary Rowett said: “We have two very good senior central defenders in Ryan Shawcross and Bruno Martins Indi but I felt it was important we brought in another experienced player to add to the competition for places.

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“Having spoken to Ashley he feels like he has a point to prove and has a real hunger. He knows many of our players, knows what we’re all about as a club and will fit straight in to our culture.

“He has gone for big money in the past and had a fantastic a career so far and experience in that position can be key because it can help you read the game.”