Stoke seal record deal for Kitson

Stoke City signed Reading striker Dave Kitson for a club record fee of 5.5 million pounds (6.9 million euros) on Friday.

Kitson agreed a three-year contract after passing a medical at the Britannia Stadium and becomes Stoke's first signing since winning promotion to the Premier League last season.

The 28-year-old scored 54 goals in 111 appearances for Reading, helping the Royals into the Premier League for the first time in their history in 2006.

But relegation last season persuaded Kitson that it was time to move on.

“I'm delighted to be here and I am very excited about the challenge,” he said.

“I am 28 and I need to be in the Premier League. I have worked hard to get here with both Cambridge and Reading, so when the opportunity arose I wanted to get the deal done.

“I came down had a look around the club and I knew this was where I wanted to be.”

Pulis believes Kitson will be able to cope with the pressure of being Stoke's most expensive signing.

“I think he's a natural goalscorer with great ability, while he's one that will work his socks off for the team,” Pulis said.

“I've seen a lot of him over the years and been impressed with his attitude from afar, particularly his ability to adapt to the challenge of moving into higher divisions throughout his career at Cambridge and Reading.

“His Premier League experience over the past two seasons with Reading is also an important asset for us because we need players who've been there.

“And I don't believe the size of any fee will trouble him. He'll take all that in his stride.”