Thompson to leave Stoke as Potters extend Baker deal

Stoke City's long-serving Northern Ireland midfielder Jordan Thompson is leaving the Championship club after five-and-a-half seasons.

The 28-year-old joined Stoke in January 2020 from Blackpool and made 178 appearances, including 146 in the Championship.

He played 23 times in the league this season but missed the Potters' last three games through injury as the club secured survival on the final day following a relegation-threatened campaign.

Stoke have also released USA international Lynden Gooch and defenders Michael Rose and Enda Stevens.

Meanwhile, the club exercised an option to extend midfielder Lewis Baker's contract for another season.

Baker, who has been with Stoke since January 2022, spent the first half of this season on loan with Blackburn before returning to the Potteries at the start of the year.

Stoke sporting director Jonathan Walters said, external Baker, "has been an integral part of our side since he returned to the club in January" and had "played some of his best football for Stoke City" under boss Mark Robins, who recalled the player when he took over.

On the departing Thompson, Walters said the club were grateful to someone "who, beyond question, gave 100% on each of the 178 times he donned a Stoke City shirt" and called his contribution to the side "significant and valued".