Jermaine Pennant is set to complete a permanent move to Barclays Premier League outfit, Stoke City, according to the club’s official website.
Pennant had been playing for the Potters since the summer, when he arrived on a temporary deal from Real Zaragoza. The player has signed a two and a half year contract with Stoke after a £1.7m fee was agreed with the Spanish side.
The fee could rise to as much as £2.8m, depending upon appearances and other considerations.
Speaking of the move on Stoke’s website, Pennant said:
“The supporters, players and management have been absolutely fantastic to me over these past four months and I desperately wanted to stay here because I love it so much.”
“I know I have only been here a few months, but it really does feel like I have been here for years.”
“The atmosphere around the place is brilliant, so I am looking forward to the fact that I am here at Stoke now for the long term and back in the best league in the world.”
Pennant has played for a number of clubs, including Notts County, Arsenal, Watford, Leeds, Birmingham, Liverpool, Portsmouth and Real Zaragoza. His early promise was somewhat derailed when he was released from his contract with Arsenal following a drink related conviction, however, Pennant rebuilt his career and was signed by Liverpool for a fee of £6.7million in the summer of 2006.
His time on Merseyside was to be short lived, and he was first loaned to Portsmouth, before signing for RealZaragoza, where he did not enjoy a prolonged spell in the starting XI.
Since joining Stoke in the summer of 2010, Pennant looks to have at last found his level and a club within which he can enjoy consistent football. At 27, he still has much to offer the Barclays Premier League. Stoke fans will simply be hoping that the form he has shown to date, which earned him this new deal, can continue throughout the entirety of his contract.