Former Ipswich Town captain Jon Walters has been appointed permanent Sporting Director at Championship side Stoke City after impressing in the role on an interim basis.

The 40-year-old returned to his former side as Interim Technical Director at the end of February, replacing the outgoing Ricky Martin. 

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Chairman John Coates said: “We went through a thorough recruitment process, interviewing a number of impressive individuals, and there was no doubt in my mind that Jon was the stand-out candidate.

“He has impressed everybody since taking charge on an interim basis, playing a huge part in galvanising the club and our fans, as well as impressively articulating his vision for the future."

East Anglian Daily Times: Jon Walters is a Stoke City hero.Jon Walters is a Stoke City hero. (Image: PA)

Walters, who scored 62 goals in 269 appearances for the Potters added: “It’s hard to articulate the drive inside of me to help get this club back to where I believe it belongs.

“The first priority is to retain our Championship status this season. After that, it’s a case of building brick-by-brick towards a long-term ambition of being better than we’ve ever been before."

Stoke currently sit 18th in the second tier, four points above the drop zone, having picked up five points in an unbeaten three-game run.

Walters retired from football in March 2019 after struggling to recover from the Achilles injury he suffered during his second spell back at Portman Road. 

In total, he scored 32 goals in 149 games for Town and has previously been technical director at Fleetwood Town and their Irish sister club Waterford FC.