Muttley
Sergei Rebrov
Another piece of our 25/26 squad jigsaw falls into place. Here's Stoke's comms.
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Ashley Phillips, the Tottenham Hotspur defender who is much loved by the Stoke City faithful following a loan spell last season, is returning to ST4 for another campaign on loan.
The 20-year-old centre-back was a star performer for the Potters across 39 appearances in 24/25, with supporters voting him in second place behind Viktor Johansson in the Player of the Season voting.
It was during his loan in ST4 that Phillips earned his inaugural call-up for England U20s, and Stoke City Sporting Director Jonathan Walters believes further honours can follow in the years ahead.
He said: “Being able to bring Ashley back to Stoke City despite plenty of competition is down to him loving his time here last season so much, and a lot of work that took place behind the scenes to make it happen.
“I know the support he received from our fans was a huge part of his positive experience of our club and I’m looking forward to seeing that bond develop even further.
“With the attributes he has and what he’s already achieved as a central defender at such a young age, Ashley, for me, is a potential full international of the future.
“To have him playing for us for another season is a significant coup and we all can’t wait to see him back on the field in a Stoke City shirt, doing what he does best for the Potters.”
Phillips added: “It feels like unfinished business. I am absolutely buzzing to be back. I feel really valued, the coaching staff are brilliant, the gaffer has been amazing with me and presented me with the plan he has to help me to develop, it made it a no brainer.
“Working with Ryan Shawcross in particular is great for me. He helped my game immeasurably last year and I am sure that will be the case again this season.
“Also, through thick and thin, our fans have turned up and supported us. They have been great to me, I know they will continue to be, and we will need them throughout the whole season.”

Potters pull off Phillips transfer coup
Ashley Phillips is returning to ST4 for another campaign on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.

Ashley Phillips, the Tottenham Hotspur defender who is much loved by the Stoke City faithful following a loan spell last season, is returning to ST4 for another campaign on loan.
The 20-year-old centre-back was a star performer for the Potters across 39 appearances in 24/25, with supporters voting him in second place behind Viktor Johansson in the Player of the Season voting.
It was during his loan in ST4 that Phillips earned his inaugural call-up for England U20s, and Stoke City Sporting Director Jonathan Walters believes further honours can follow in the years ahead.
He said: “Being able to bring Ashley back to Stoke City despite plenty of competition is down to him loving his time here last season so much, and a lot of work that took place behind the scenes to make it happen.
“I know the support he received from our fans was a huge part of his positive experience of our club and I’m looking forward to seeing that bond develop even further.
“With the attributes he has and what he’s already achieved as a central defender at such a young age, Ashley, for me, is a potential full international of the future.
“To have him playing for us for another season is a significant coup and we all can’t wait to see him back on the field in a Stoke City shirt, doing what he does best for the Potters.”
Phillips added: “It feels like unfinished business. I am absolutely buzzing to be back. I feel really valued, the coaching staff are brilliant, the gaffer has been amazing with me and presented me with the plan he has to help me to develop, it made it a no brainer.
“Working with Ryan Shawcross in particular is great for me. He helped my game immeasurably last year and I am sure that will be the case again this season.
“Also, through thick and thin, our fans have turned up and supported us. They have been great to me, I know they will continue to be, and we will need them throughout the whole season.”