Potters announce Fletcher coup

Stoke boss Mark Hughes is revelling in his joy after luring the vastly experienced Darren Fletcher to the club from Premier League rivals West Brom.

Posted Friday, June 02, 2017 by Foxsports.com

The 33-year-old midfielder turned down an offer to extend his stay at the Hawthorns, where his contract was set to expire at the end of this month, deciding instead on a move to their traditional rivals.

Fletcher become a key player for Tony Pulis' side following his switch from Manchester United in 2015, taking on the captaincy and featuring in every Premier League game for the past two seasons.

But the Scotland international admits he couldn't resist the chance to work with Hughes, having signed terms at the bet365 Stadium until 2019.

"Having spoken to the manager I have to admit that I was really impressed by everything he had to say to me," Fletcher told Stoke City Player.

"I liked what was said in the discussions I had with him, his ideas and his philosophies - it is just a great new challenge for me.

"The gaffer was a fantastic player, and I have had the pleasure of working under some tremendous managers throughout my career, and Mark will be another one of those.

"He is an impressive man who has had a really impressive career in the game, and I am really looking forward to working under him every day."

Hughes added on the club's official website: "Darren is a person and a player that I have admired from afar for quite some time now, and am understandably delighted to have been able to bring him to the club.

"It goes without saying that he has enjoyed a distinguished career in the game, having helped Manchester United to win any number of trophies during his hugely successful time there.

"He has shown over the past two seasons that his qualities and appetite for the game haven't diminished in any way, and I believe that his experience and leadership qualities will significantly enhance us.

"As a professional he still feels he can enjoy even further success in the game, ambitions that both he and ourselves feel he can fulfil here."