Stoke manager Mark Hughes praises Glenn Whelan after his move to Aston Villa.
Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has heaped praise on Glenn Whelan after the midfielder joined Aston Villa last Thursday (July 20).
The Villans paid £1m for Whelan, who ended a nine-and-a-half year spell with the Potteries when he agreed to make the switch to the Birmingham side.
Stoke City’s Glenn Whelan in action with Tottenham’s Victor Wanyama
And despite sanctioning the departure of the 33-year-old from the Bet365 Stadium, Hughes still had plenty of positive things to say about the Republic of Ireland international.
“Glenn will go down as a Stoke hero, very much in the same manner as Jonny Walters,” the Welshman was quoted by the Birmingham Mail, with Walters having also left the Staffordshire club for Burnley.
“I think it’s a fantastic signing for Aston Villa. He gives you everything each and every week and you know what you’re going to get from him.
“He’s not one that wants to grab the limelight but he does that by the manner of his performances.
“I always had a high regard for him even before I arrived at Stoke and during my time working with him that never wavered.
“As time went on he enjoyed a different role and maybe a bit more freedom than we were able to give him. Everyone saw what a good player he was.”
Whelan played 337 games during his time with Stoke after helping them win promotion to the Premier League during his first season with the club.
He is Steve Bruce’s fifth new signing at Villa Park this summer, along with Chris Samba, Ahmed Elmohamady, Sam Johnstone and John Terry.
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce
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