News and transfer gossip from the bet365 Stadium as Stoke City head into the summer window

Jay Rodriguez has ended speculation linking him with a move to Stoke City, Huddersfield Town or Wrexham by signing a new contract at Burnley.

The 34-year-old striker was a free agent this summer as he wound down his deal at Turf Moor, where he had made 21 appearances in the Premier League in the season just finished. But he was offered fresh terms before manager Vincent Kompany left for Bayern Munich and it has now been announced that he is staying put.

“It’s a great feeling and a real privilege to represent Burnley, my hometown club,” he said after agreeing a one-year contract. “Being offered another year was a proud moment and there was no way I could say no.

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“It was a no-brainer for myself, my family and my friends and there was nothing else in my mind apart from signing and playing for this club for as long as I can.

“Burnley is all I’ve known, being from the town. The football club is a massive part of the town and to be able to represent Burnley is always special so no matter what I do, it will always be a big part of my life.”

Rodriguez came through the ranks at Burnley and had five years at Southampton and two at West Bromwich Albion before returning in 2019. He has now made 250 appearances for the club.

He said: “It’s 250 more appearances than I ever thought I’d have. To just have one was the aim when I was growing up hoping to play football for a living, so to have 250 is amazing.”

Stoke are looking for a new striker or two after releasing Tyrese Campbell. Steven Schumacher currently has Ryan Mmaee and Niall Ennis as the senior front men on his books, as well as 18-year-old pair Emre Tezgel and Nathan Lowe, who both have loan suitors.