The Potters have secured their first major signing of the summer after completing the £5m signing of Sunderland captain Dean Whitehead.
Whitehead, 27, joins for an initial £3m with the rest being paid deoendant on the players and Potters success.
Stoke have so far been thwarted in their attempts to strengthen the first team this summer, after finishing last season in a highly credible 12th place, with many big name players deciding to go to more established Premier League clubs.
He will now compete for a central midfield berth along with Glenn Whelan and Rory Delap, among others, and will hope to use his energy and ability to push the Potters on from the middle of the park.