Joe Allen's transfer from Liverpool to Stoke City was one of the more surprising moves of the summer.
The Welsh international, who was named in the Euro 2016 Team of the Tournament was one of Brendan Rodgers' first signings at Liverpool. Despite his impressive performance, especially in the Europa League near the end of the season, he was deemed surplus to requirements by manager Jurgen Klopp.
Despite his popular status with Liverpool's fans and players, Allen has admitted in an interview with The Telegraph, that he only found out from a friend, while on holiday about the move to Stoke.
"I actually had a text message off a friend congratulating me about making the move when I didn’t even know it was happening at the time."
The 26-year-old also revealed that while he was unhappy with how his time at Liverpool ended, he was delighted to move to Stoke this summer. His new team are managed by Welsh legend Mark Hughes.
"The communication wasn’t great but as soon as Liverpool accepted an offer I knew what their intentions were for me. It was a bit strange but that’s how things happen sometimes. There was no real goodbye, but I’m not the most sentimental person anyway. It’s irrelevant now because sitting here I’ve got the move I wanted."
Allen came off the bench last week, in his debut for Stoke. He should make his home debut this weekend against Manchester City on Saturday afternoon.
At 26, Allen believes the best is yet to come from him, despite his performances for Wales in France. "The next four or five years are going to be my best. I’m really excited about this move because the ambition is there to get better."
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