This FLW opinion piece examines one of the Potters’ greatest moments on the transfer market.
Ryan Shawcross made 453 appearances, scored 25 goals, and contributed 16 assists during his productive career with Stoke City.
In 2008, Stoke City signed Shawcross for an estimated £2 million, which, given his length and services to the team, was a great deal.
At the age of 22, Shawcross assumed the role of club captain, demonstrating exceptional leadership abilities as he guided Stoke City to promotion, the FA Cup final, and even Europe.
After progressing through Manchester United’s junior system, Ryan Shawcross made his debut for the Red Devils in 2006.
He would appear in the League Cup twice under Sir Alex Ferguson that season, but he would eventually go on loan to Belgium to play regular minutes.
Over the years, a number of Manchester United players have moved from Old Trafford to Antwerp, and there was a close relationship between the two teams during Sir Alex Ferguson’s leadership.
Shawcross would go on to make 19 appearances for the Belgian team, but this loan stint would change the young player’s life.
Stoke City signed him on loan in the summer of 2007 then, a few months later, permanently as a result of his exploits in Belgium.
Remarkably, Shawcross’s 2008 signing cost Stoke City an estimated £2 million.
That is a true steal, especially considering what he accomplished later in his career at the team and how long he stayed at Bet365 Stadium.
Furthermore, the reported price paid to Manchester United is undoubtedly one of Stoke City’s best-ever deals.
Ryan Shawcross performed admirably for Stoke City.
Shawcross had an instant impression on the team, and in his first season there, the Potters were promoted.
Shawcross demonstrated his leadership abilities when, at the age of 22, he was elected club captain following two seasons in the Premier League during which Stoke beat the odds and stayed up.
Shawcross would go on to captain the team for the following eight Premier League seasons, even taking the Potters to the European stage when they participated in the 2011–12 competition.
Naturally, it happened when Shawcross led the team to the 2011 FA Cup final, where Manchester City’s financial power triumphed.
Ultimately, here is Ryan Shawcross’s statline for Stoke City. 453 games, 25 goals, 16 helpers.
However, numbers frequently fall short of the situation.
When Shawcross finally decided to leave Stoke City in 2021, Tony Scholes, the club’s chief executive at the time, said it best.
“Ryan’s contribution to the club over the last 14 years simply cannot be under-estimated,” Scholes said in a club statement at the time.
“He became a talisman for us because of his exceptional leadership and the constancy of his performances.
“He’s been a fantastic role model both on and off the field, and the way he gave his all in practise and games embodied the qualities of Stoke-on-Trent: dedication, hard work, and loyalty.”
In order to recapture the glory years that Ryan Shawcross helped bring to the club prior to their current troubles, Stoke would want to find themselves another Ryan Shawcross in the years to come.
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