Stoke City F.C. have reached a pre-contract agreement with New England Revolution striker Juan Agudelo, with the United States international set to join compatriots Brek Shea, Geoff Cameron and Maurice Edu at the Britannia Stadium in January, according to the Potters’ official website, www.stokecityfc.com.
Agudelo, who has spent each of the past four seasons in Major League Soccer, was traded by Chivas USA to the New England Revolution for ‘allocation money’ — which can be used to either sign players or payoff weekly-wages — on 7 May 2013.
Since arriving in New England, the United States international, 20, has netted three goals in five league appearances, taking his season tally to five strikes, and one assist, in 11 MLS matches.
Stoke are delighted with the impending arrival of Agudelo, who will link up with strikers Cameron Jerome, Jonathan Walters, Kenwyne Jones and Peter Crouch come January.
“We’ve put a lot of work into this deal, and I am delighted that we have managed to get the deal over the line,” said manager Mark Hughes.
“It’s a good deal for us, because he is a very good young player who boasts a lot of talent as well as a lot of potential too.
“I’ve known of him for a couple of years now. He burst on to the scene for the United States at the age of 17 and everybody has paid attention to him since.
“I have kept my eye on him for the last 18 months, and thankfully we were in a position where we were able to pull this deal off.”
Stoke, who have added left-footed defenders Erik Pieters and Marc Muniesa to their squad this summer, are scheduled to face Liverpool at Anfield on the opening day of the 2013/14 English Premier League season.
The Potters, who found the back of the net just 34 times in 38 league fixtures last term, have yet to add immediate attacking reinforcements during the summer transfer window, having recently missed out on Portugal international striker Nélson Oliveira, who chose to join Stade Rennais F.C. instead of taking his talents to Stoke-on-Trent.
Zapata to QPR
Queens Park Rangers F.C. have brokered a £6.4 million deal with Argentine Primera División side Estudiantes de La Plata for highly-rated striker Duvan Zapata, Sky Sports understands.
Zapata, 22, has been linked with a number of Europeans clubs this summer, including the likes of Atletico Madrid, Evian, Napoli, Sassuolo and West Ham United.
The deal is expected to be finalised after the Colombian agrees personal terms and passes a medical at the weekend.
In addition, Zapata will need a work permit, which must go through an appeal. The Super Hoops are hopeful a permit can be attained under the ‘special talent’ clause.
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