Potters Snap Up Teenage Prospect

Last updated : 16 October 2009 By Dan Buxton
                                           academy

Stoke have snapped up Cheltenham Town wonderkid Ben Markall.

Markall, 14, is very highly rated and is another player added to the Potters ever improving academy structure.

Compensation has been agreed between the two clubs and Markall will now look to settle into the set up at Clayton Wood. Add on's are part of the deal and these will come into play if he becomes part of the first team at the Britannia Stadium.

The clubs academy status, along with the first teams Premier League status is believed to have swung the balance to City.

Stoke signed quite a few top prospects over the summer after the arrival of Steve Holland but that appeared to have slowed down since the departure of the ex-Crewe manager and this signing shows the club is still looking at bringing players in through the young age ranges.

Cheltenham have produced quite a few first teamers from their centre of excellence in recent years and sold 16-year-old Jamie Edge to Arsenal in the summer for a hefty compensation fee.