Sidibe rewarded with new Stoke deal

Stoke striker Mamady Sidibe has signed a new contract which will keep him at the club until the summer of 2012.

The 30-year-old, who joined the Potters from Gillingham on a free transfer in 2005, has recently made a successful return from a knee injury which saw him miss the second half of last season

“I am very happy here and so I didn’t have to think twice about it when I was asked about a new contract,” he said.

“The best of my football has been here and the dreams I have achieved have been with Stoke.

“I didn’t want to go anywhere else. When you have been somewhere for five years, then it is not easy to leave.”

Manager Tony Pulis is delighted to have secured the Mali international on a longer deal.

“Everyone knows what I think of Mama. He has been a key part of this football club’s modern-day success and he is a fantastic guy to have around the place,” he said.

“He doesn’t score the amount of goals we would all like him to, but he is vitally important to how we play.

“He never gives anything less than 110% and if you ask the rest of the lads about him they all love having him in the team.

“It’s great news that he has signed a new deal and his fantastic efforts since signing five years ago have warranted this.”