SHAY Given was an unused substitute for his new club Stoke City on Wednesday evening.
After joining the Potters last week, the Liffordman joined up with the club for their pre-season trip to Singapore. Given watched from the bench on Wednesday as Everton defeated them on penalties in the Barclays Asia Trophy.
The 39-year-old has signed a two-year contract with Stoke after making the switch from Aston Villa.
The move sees Given link up with Stoke manager Mark Hughes, who signed the veteran goalkeeper for Manchester City in 2009.
“Mark Hughes was a big pull for me to join the club,” Given said on signing at the Britannia Stadium.
“I’ve worked with him and his staff before and it will be fantastic to work with everybody again.
“It’s also an opportunity for me to stay in the Premier League and to come to a football club that is doing well and has a passionate support base.
“Mark was a really big factor in me coming. He’s done a magnificent job and I have a lot of respect for him.
“He’s a man who instantly gets the respect form his players, not just as a manager but from his playing days as well.
“He’s someone I really want to work for and the job he has done in the last couple of years has been fantastic.”
Stoke take on a Singapore Select XI on Saturday before taking on Wrexham next Wednesday.
Given will be one of five Irish players at Stoke for the new season with Glenn Whelan, Marc Wilson, Jonathan Walters and Stephen Ireland also on the books. Given has played alongside all four with the Republic of Ireland since returning to the international set-up last year having retired after Euro 2012 in Poland.
Charlie Collins spoke to Given and asked the 130-time capped netminder did he regret hanging up his gloves after Ponznan. Listen below:
https://soundcloud.com/donegalsporthub-club-notes/shay-given-interview
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