Lawrence signed for Stoke City from Sunderland in January 2007

Stoke City winger Liam Lawrence has signed a new four-year contract with the Premier League club.

The 27-year-old Republic of Ireland international was a key member of last season's squad and scored their first ever goal at home in the top-flight.

Lawrence said: "The club has changed so much from when I first came here, it's a different world.

"Now to know that I will be spending the best years of my career here is fantastic news."

The former Mansfield and Sunderland player signed for Stoke in January 2007 after a successful loan spell.

We're delighted that Liam has agreed the new deal Stoke chief executive Tony Scholes

He was their joint-top scorer as the Potters secured promotion to the Premier League in May 2008.

"I always knew it would get done, there was never any question of that, and now I can concentrate on performing on the pitch," he added.

Stoke's chief executive Tony Scholes said: "We're delighted that Liam has agreed the new deal.

"Liam has been an important part of what's been achieved at the club over the last three years and he fully deserves this new deal."

Lawrence missed three months of last season after picking up an ankle injury and returned to the first team in January, helping them to a 12th-placed finish in the Premier League.

In May, the Retford-born winger made his long-awaited international debut for the Republic of Ireland in a friendly against Nigeria at Craven Cottage.

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