please log in to view this image http://www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~2438170,00.html STOKE CITY have completed a momentous transfer deadline day by securing the Club record £10 million signature of England striker Peter Crouch. The 6ft 7in frontman put pen-to-paper on a four year deal with the Potters which means he follows former Spurs team-mates Wilson Palacios and Jonathan Woodgate to the Britannia Stadium in the summer transfer window. Crouch's signing followed hot on the heels of the captures of Palacios from Tottenham and fellow striker Cameron Jerome from Birmingham City. The initial deal is £10million, but it could rise to £12 million, significantly higher than the £8 million City paid to Sunderland for Kenwyne Jones 12 months ago. "These fantastic deals are a statement of this Football Club's intent," said City's Chief Executive Tony Scholes after completing the triple transfer swoop. "The Club has made incredible strides forward over the past five years and to attract players of this calibre shows our ambitions as we look to continue that progress this season and beyond that. Manager Tony Pulis added: "There has been a real buzz of excitement around the city about where this Club is going since we reached the FA Cup Final and then started our Europa League adventure. These signings certainly add to that great sense of anticipation." "We now have good options in midfield and up front with these captures add to the experienced additions we also made at the back by bringing in two England defenders Jonathan Woodgate and Matthew Upson earlier in the transfer window. "Peter has an excellent goalscoring record at the highest level. His goals-per-games ratio for England is remarkable and he scored seven goals in 10 Champions League games for Tottenham last season which gives you an idea of his pedigree." The transfer brings to an end Crouch's second stint with Spurs, having begun his career in north London before he returned there in 2009 to link up with Harry Redknapp for a third time following spells at Southampton and Portsmouth. The 6ft 7in striker has also enjoyed successful spells with Aston Villa, Liverpool and Portsmouth during his prolific career while he has made a big impact on the international stage by scoring 22 goals in his 42 England appearances. please log in to view this image http://www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~2438196,00.html? PETER CROUCH admitted that his former Tottenham Hotspur colleague Jonathan Woodgate was a major influence upon his decision to join Stoke City. The England striker revealed that Woodgate had been on the telephone frequently to twist his arm into sealing a club record move to the Britannia Stadium. Crouch completed an initial £10 million transfer to City shortly before the transfer window closed and the deal could eventually rise to £12 million. "Woody was on the phone every hour trying to persuade me to come here," said the 6ft 7in striker after he had completed the signing from Tottenham. Crouch is excited at the prospect of a new challenge in an illustrious career which has seen him score goals at the highest level with England and a number of top clubs. "The future is bright for Stoke," he added. "There are a lot of good players here, it has been a stable Premier League club for a few years now, it has excellent backing from the Chairman and it's top class supporters, so it's a great time to be part of the Club. "As you can see from the other signings which have been made recently, the Club is really moving in the right direction and looking to do big things now." He added: "The manager has worked extremely hard to get me here. He has got a hell of a lot of faith and belief in me, so hopefully I can repay that faith." Crouch will be in line to make his debut against one of his former clubs Liverpool in nine days time while he is also looking forward to playing in the Europa League. "The Champions League was a fantastic experience last season, and hopefully I can bring some of that experience to this Club in the Europa League," he said. "There are some big games coming up in the next few weeks, so I am really excited by this new challenge in my career and am looking forward to it."
Scholes has told Stoke fans at the training ground that it is done and Juliette Ferrington has tweeted saying she's about to interview him (that was about 10 minutes ago). Matt Sandoz from Radio Stoke tweeted something similar. Don't think confirmation is far away.
Apparently Crouchy had a curry when he first got to the training ground - a good sign I'd say - the lad's comfortable with the job in hand and I reckon the deal's a good un!!
Well, I have to say I'm well happy with Crouch/Palacios well done Tony Pulis. Jerome, I wasn't fussed. But to pull off this double signing is something I never thought I would see happen. I was at the training ground earlier tonight, left about 11:15 and I was told by Rob Dorsett S S News off air that, it was done and dusted. ONLY had to have it confirmed by the FA and that "Those doing the business were certain it was official" Crouch 12 mil Palacious 8 mil Jerome 3.5 million.... He spent ages on his mobile before going on air at just after the deadline... Nice ONE Tony Pulis... NOW, at least we have attacking options and one fantastic midfield player... well happy with that tonight guys.
£10 million isn't too bad when you consider he is 79 inches tall, it's a little early for maths, but if you consider £10 for Arteta who is on 62 inches tall - it's a great deal. More player, per inches, per pound
Morning Nick! According to your reckoning that would make little Messi about £5.50? Sign him up TP! ;-) Was out with the band last night lads, so missed the last 2 hours of the window, got in at midnight and surfed until 2am...... Now that the dust has settled, I am well pleased/gob smacked with the business we have just done. In fact it hasn't really sunk in yet. May have to do a sarge and lie down in a darkened room for a few days. A bit like my reaction to Upson coming, I was originally anti Crouch. I am now eating my humble pie with lashings of custard.......and loving every mouthful!!!! KTF and UTP!!!!
