Midfielder Joe Allen says he does not see his £13m move from Liverpool to Stoke City as a "big drop" in his career.

"Everything's been positive," the 26 year old Wales international told BBC Radio Stoke.

"Stoke and Liverpool came to agreement very quickly and it was all very smooth - that's been great because I've had a couple of weeks with the team ahead of the new season."

And Allen says the calibre of players already at his new club meant he was always confident he was coming to a serious team.

"You look at the quality that's already here, like Glenn Whelan and to get Glen Johnson was a real coup," he added.

"With the ones they've recruited in the last few seasons, like Shaqiri, Bojan, Imbula, Arnautovic and Jack Butland pushing for the England spot in goal, it's a squad that's got quality throughout.

"I'm hoping to add to that and I certainly don't see leaving Liverpool and joining Stoke is a big drop - I wasn't expecting it to be."