Stoke seal Pieters deal

Stoke have secured the signing of left-back Erik Pieters from PSV Eindhoven for a fee of £3 million (€3.6 million).

The Netherlands international becomes Mark Hughes’ first signing since taking over as manager at the Britannia Stadium in May and has agreed a four-year contract with the Premier League club.

He follows Jeremain Lens and Dries Mertens out of the PSV exit door during the close-season.

Pieters is relishing the opportunity of testing himself against the best sides in England.

“I am very happy with this new challenge,” he told PSV’s official website.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to play in the Premier League so this is a wonderful opportunity.

“At the same time (I am) sad to leave my friends and team-mates in Eindhoven, but I’m very happy with this opportunity.”

PSV technical manager Marcel Brands added: “This is a nice step for him.

“Given his contract, we were in a position to sell him. We lose in Erik a good player with a good character, but for him this is a new step in his career.

“He played five years at PSV (and) is still only 24 years (old).”