Stoke snap up Whitehead (From Western Telegraph)

Stoke snap up Whitehead

3:43pm Friday 24th July 2009 in

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Stoke have completed the signing of Sunderland midfielder Dean Whitehead for an initial fee of £3million, which could rise to £5million.

The 27-year-old, who had been in talks with the Potters for some time and did not fly out to the Algarve with the rest of the Black Cats squad this week, has agreed a four-year contract.

Whitehead, who has ended a five-year spell at the Stadium of Light, will be reunited with former Sunderland team-mates Liam Lawrence, Rory Delap and Danny Higginbotham and another ex-Black Cat in goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen.

He could make his Stoke debut in Saturday's friendly at Preston North End.

"I'm delighted to be here. I've known of the club's interest for about six months or so now so it has gone on for a while," said Whitehead.

"But like I say everything is sorted now and I'm very happy it's all done and dusted.

"The manager (Tony Pulis) has been brilliant, I have spoken to him a few times. He has great plans for this place and as soon as I heard what he said I wanted to be part of it.

"Last year was a fantastic season for everyone here and hopefully I can help push the club on even more."

Chief executive Tony Scholes added: "We are delighted to have completed our first major signing of the summer transfer window.

"Dean is a player who possesses plenty of top-flight experience and has proven leadership qualities having captained Sunderland for the past few years."