At 35, Aaron Cresswell is no stranger to the rigors of professional football. With nearly 600 senior appearances, a UEFA Conference League title, and three England caps to his name, the veteran left-back has already carved out an impressive career. But as he embarks on a new chapter with Stoke City, Cresswell is driven by a desire to leave a legacy, not just for himself, but for the club and its emerging talents.
A Mentor for the Next Generation
From the moment he joined Stoke, he made it clear that his ambitions extend beyond personal accolades. The club’s fourth signing of the summer, he immediately turned his attention to mentoring young prospects like 17-year-old Laurence Giani, who recently signed his first professional contract after impressing with Italy at the under-17 European Championships, and Josh Bickerton, another promising talent. Cresswell’s experience, 369 appearances for West Ham, 138 for Ipswich Town, and 70 for Tranmere Rovers, positions him perfectly to guide these youngsters
Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke from a pre-season training camp in Spain, Cresswell highlighted his intent to make a lasting impact: “It’s been a challenging few years for Stoke, but it’s a sleeping giant in terms of the fan base, the size of the club, and the infrastructure. Everything’s there, and I want to help in any way I can.” His focus is not only on performing on the pitch but also on fostering a culture of professionalism and high standards, qualities he’s honed over a 17-year career.
