Aaron Cresswell signs one-year deal with Stoke City

Aaron Cresswell has joined Stoke City on a one-year contract, marking a significant change after over a decade at West Ham United. The 35-year-old left-back is embracing the challenge of competing in the Championship, a league he last played in during the 2013-14 season with Ipswich Town, and is eager to contribute to Stoke's ambitions of a successful season away from relegation battles. Cresswell brings extensive experience, having made nearly 600 senior appearances, including over 350 for West Ham, and expressed a strong desire to support younger players like Italy Under-17 talent Laurence Giani and French defender Eric-Junior Bocat. He has already begun mentoring these younger teammates, highlighting his willingness to help both on and off the pitch. Despite being at the back end of his career, Cresswell remains motivated and confident in his ability to perform at a high level and influence the team's progress positively. His arrival is part of Stoke's broader summer recruitment, including other signings aimed at strengthening the squad.