Pennant becomes free agent following Stoke City release

Jermaine Pennant is now a free agent, after Mark Hughes brought an end to his three-and-a-half year spell at Stoke City.

The former England Under-21 international pitched up at the Britannia Stadium in the summer of 2010, initially on loan from Real Zaragoza, before making the move permanent in a £1.8million deal in the December of the same year. However, he has been out of favour for some time, and has not started a Premier League match since August 2012.

Pennant, who had a spell on loan at Wolverhampton Wanderers last season, has made just eight substitute appearances in the league this season, as well as three starts in the League Cup. The Potters have now announced they have decided against extending his contract until the summer, and have instead opted to release his registration.

This will allow the 31-year-old winger to sign for a new club on a free transfer, even after the current transfer window closes next Friday. Rather than being bitter of the lack of first team opportunities to come his way in recent times, Pennant has thanked the club for the past three-and-a-half year, and bears no grudge towards manager Hughes.

“I met with the manager and he was honest with me, which I appreciated,” he is quoted as saying in the Daily Mirror. “I wasn’t playing and at 31 now, I need to be playing games. I’d like to thank the club for the opportunity of a new challenge and would like to thank everyone at Stoke City and the fans for the fantastic support over the last few years. I’m looking forward to the new chapter in my life.”

 

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