Stoke's Steven Nzonzi has transfer request rejected

Stoke have rejected a written transfer request from midfielder Steven Nzonzi.

The 24-year-old Frenchman, who was recently voted the club's young player of the year, has told the Potters he wishes to leave less than a year after his £3m move from Blackburn.

Peter Coates, the Stoke chairman, said: "I can confirm that we have received a written transfer request from Steven Nzonzi.

"He is our player and has three years remaining on his contract."

The former France Under-21 international was frozen out by then Rovers manager Steve Kean before completing his move to Stoke on the final day of last summer's transfer window.

He made 38 appearances for the Potters this season and scored his first goal in the home defeat by Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month.