Defender extends Stoke City contract ahead of big season

Jake Griffin has become the latest Stoke City top prospect to sign a new contract.

The 19-year-old Stoke under-21s captain has signed a new two-year deal at the club has he been with since the under-10s.

He played in all-but one of Stoke’s Premier League 2 games in 2023/24 and is believed to have admirers in the case of a possible loan this season.

Griffin, a Republic of Ireland youth international, got his first taste of senior football last term with a spell on loan at National League North champions Brackley Town.

Stoke have now secured five deals this week with some of their brightest prospects.

Italy youth left-back Laurence Giani has signed a new three-year deal. while defender Syd Agina and winger Josh Maskall have both signed two-year contracts, their first professional deals.

The under-21s returned for pre-season training last weekend and their pre-season friendly programme starts next week with a friendly at Mickleover.

Stoke also have games lined up against Exmouth Town, Taunton Town, Tamworth, Alfreton Town and Cork City under-20s.