Liverpool transfer news: Jurgen Klopp allows Joe Allen to join Stoke City on permanent transfer

Joe Allen was a star player for Wales in the Euro 2016.

Liverpool have confirmed their midfielder Joe Allen has left Anfield and completed a permanent switch to Stoke City on 25 July, Monday.

The 26-year-old was signed by the Reds' former manager Brendan Rodgers from Swansea City in 2012. He followed the Northern Irishman to Anfield and the former was replaced by Jurgen Klopp last October.

Allen, who was impressive in Wales' debut campaign in European championship played a crucial role in helping Chris Coleman's side reach the semi-final of the Euro 2016. Wales lost to eventual winners Portugal 2-0.

"Joe Allen has today completed a permanent transfer from Liverpool FC to Stoke City," a statement read on Liverpool's official website.

"The midfielder, who joined the club from Swansea City in the summer of 2012, moves to the Premier League club after four years with the Reds."

Allen had one year left on his contract at the Merseyside club and after he was made aware that his services are no longer required at Liverpool, the Wales international decided to leave the Reds.

The midfielder had several options as he was attracting interest from his former club Swansea, Scottish side Celtic, which is managed by Rodgers and also Sevilla. However, Stoke have managed to beat competition for his signature.

Mark Hughes was key in helping Allen make a switch to the Brittania Stadium. He said, "It's all come relatively out of the blue to be honest."

"I saw that an offer was accepted over the weekend and things have obviously moved really quickly since then. Mark Hughes has achieved great things here at the Club already and he sold the Club to me in terms of their ambitions moving forward.

"You can see from the outside, with where the Club has finished and the business they have done in the transfer window, that they are moving in the right direction."

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