Pennant seals Stoke deal

A day after manager Tony Pulis hinted a deal was getting closer, Stoke City have announced the permanent signing of Jermaine Pennant.

The winger has signed a two-and-a-half year deal at the Britannia Stadium and moves from La Liga club Real Zaragoza for an initial fee of 1.75 million pounds, which could eventually rise to 2.8 million.

Pennant has been with the English Premier League club on-loan this season, though Stoke must now wait on an international clearance and registration before the former Liverpool, Arsenal and Leeds midfielder is to make his first appearance as a permanent player.

“This is fantastic news, just what we all wanted,” Pulis told the club’s website on Wednesday.

“Jermaine has made such a big impact since he has been with us and he has become a big favourite with the supporters, so I know that everyone will be delighted that we have completed this signing.”

“The important thing has been getting him comfortable and settled, and now that we have done that I am sure he can go on to play an even bigger part in our plans.”

“Natural wingers are hard to come by, but we have two of them with Jermaine on the right and Matty Etherington on the left, so that gives us a real threat down both flanks.”

Pennant has made 13 league appearances in his four month loan at Stoke, who are 10th on the Premier League table.

He spoke of his delight at sealing a permanent move back to England with the Potters.

“I think everyone knows how I feel about being at this football club,” he said.

“The supporters, players and management have been absolutely fantastic to me over these past four months and I desperately wanted to stay here because I love it so much.”

“I know I have only been here a few months, but it really does feel like I have been here for years. The atmosphere around the place is brilliant, so I am looking forward to the fact that I am here at Stoke now for the long term and back in the best league in the world.”