Stoke City make major change - it's even made Xherdan Shaqiri react | OneFootball

Xherdan Shaqiri has reacted to Stoke City unveiling their new crest via Instagram

Stoke City have officially changed their club crest in a bid to freshen things up and move into a new era, as a former fan favourite sends a homage to the Potters via social media following the shift.

The summer has officially clicked into gear for Stoke, with three big announcements on the same day.

Djibril Soumare has been confirmed to have joined the club on a three-year deal from Portuguese side Braga after a loan spell with Sheffield United last season, with the deal potentially rising to around €4 million, kicking off their summer transfer window.

The club's Championship fixtures for the campaign have been released, with Swansea City at home on the first day and Millwall away on the final day, whilst the Potters have officially changed their club crest with a fresh new look.

The former badge represented the club for 25 years, having initially been made the crest in 2001, but now, Stoke are looking to move into a new era both on and off the pitch, as a former star has shared his love for the new emblem.

Xherdan Shaqiri has reacted to Stoke City's new badge

Stoke have made the decision to change the club badge, having announced the rebrand as far back as last summer, with the change having now officially come into effect.

There will be hope surrounding the Potteries that this badge can bring back positive days to the club, having endured a glum period for the past decade, failing to record a top-half finish in the past ten years in any division they have competed in.

The last time they did so was back in 2016, when the likes of Bojan, Marko Arnautovic, Ryan Shawcross, and Jack Butland were all representing the red and white under the guidance of Mark Hughes.

Completing their attacking trio was Swiss forward Xherdan Shaqiri, who, alongside Arnautovic, has had a glittering career before and after his time with Stoke, but it is with the Potters where he is arguably best recognised.

Shaqiri joined Stoke in the summer of 2015 from Inter Milan for a then club-record fee of £12 million, and instantly became an integral figure in the side, going on to score 15 and assist 15 in 92 appearances for the club across all competitions.

He would depart in 2018 following the club's relegation, joining Liverpool, but his affinity for the Potters has never left, as the now 34-year-old has reacted to his former club's new crest via Instagram.

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Shaqiri is still adored in the Potteries, and his strong connection to the club and its supporters has never wavered, with the Basel attacker typing: "😍❤️🤍".

Stoke fans will be hoping that this new crest can bring back similar times they enjoyed under the former Swiss international all those years ago, and will love the fact that Shaqiri still adores the club after all this time.

Mark Robins must use Stoke City's change of identity to begin a new era at Stoke City amid Xherdan Shaqiri's message

With Stoke undergoing a change in identity in terms of their badge, it provides the club with a unique chance to start over in a new era.

Although nothing seismic has changed at the club, given that it is only a logo, many around the Potteries will view it as a fresh start and the chance to put this past decade behind them.

Mark Robins will be the person to guide them into the new era, as the former Coventry City boss cannot afford to zap all the optimism away from the club with a poor start to the season.

Stoke will be desperate to end their torrid run of league finishes, as Robins has the chance to use this change in club crest to his advantage, and cannot afford to waste this opportunity.