Stoke City agree £1m-a-year deal to sign in-demand Norwich City cast-off
HIGHLIGHTS
- Stoke City secure former Norwich defender Ben Gibson, showing ambition and intent in rebuilding their squad for a stronger season.
- Gibson’s experience and defensive prowess will be crucial for Stoke as they aim to climb up the Championship table under Steven Schumacher.
- Despite initial challenges, Gibson’s abilities and improvements will be valuable for Stoke City’s defense and their promotion aspirations.
Stoke City are set to complete the signing of former Norwich City defender Ben Gibson, according to journalist Alan Nixon.
Gibson was released by Norwich this summer at the end of his contract after four years at Carrow Road, and Stoke are said to have won the race for his signature.
The 31-year-old was attracting interest from “a handful of Championship sides”, but the Potters “came up with the most lucrative package”, and they will be “paying in the region of £1 million a year for his experience”.
Gibson will become Stoke’s second signing of what has been a busy summer so far as Steven Schumacher looks to rebuild his squad after keeping the club in the division this season.
The Potters have already brought in Rotherham United goalkeeper Viktor Johansson this summer, fighting off competition from Derby County and Sheffield United, and Gibson looks set to be the next player to make the move to the bet365 Stadium.
Stoke City closing in on Ben Gibson signing
Gibson began his career with Middlesbrough, and he went on to make 204 appearances for his hometown club, helping them to promotion to the Premier League in 2016.
The 31-year-old’s impressive performances for Boro earned him a reputation as one of the best defenders in the Championship, and he made the move to Burnley for a fee of £15 million in August 2018.
However, Gibson’s spell at Turf Moor turned out to be a disaster as he made just six appearances for the Clarets, and after a fall out with manager Sean Dyche, he returned to train at Boro in February 2020.
Gibson joined Norwich on loan in September 2020, and after winning the Championship title with the Canaries in his first season at the club, the move was made permanent for a fee of £8 million the following summer.
The defender was a regular during his four years at Carrow Road, and he was an important part of the team this season as Norwich reached the play-offs, where they were beaten by Leeds United in the semi-finals.
