Hoefkens joins Stoke from Belgian outfit Germinal Beerschot for 500,000 euros (about £350,000) after agreeing a three-year contract. But the deal came close to collapsing at the 11th hour when his agent filed for a fee.
"He is a leader, a talker like Gerry Taggart, and I know he will be a good signing," said Boskamp.
"He will fit in well in English football because he is strong with his head, and his positional game is good."