Cameron set for Stoke move

Stoke City are closing in on a deal for USA international defender Geoff Cameron, the club have confirmed.

The versatile 27-year-old, who can play as part of a back four or in midfield, had a medical on Wednesday and will rendezvous with the Potters on their pre-season tour in Orlando.

“Whilst we would not normally confirm a transfer until everything is complete, we have agreed a fee and personal terms in this instance and the player will now join up with the squad in Orlando to have his medical,” chief executive Tony Scholes told the club’s official website.

Cameron began his senior career in the USL Premier Development League with Rhode Island Stingrays, before being picked by Houston Dynamo in the third round of the 2008 MLS Super Draft.

The defender went onto make 116 appearances for the Dynamo, scoring 11 goals, and was also named in the MLS All-Star teams of 2010 and 2011, competing against Everton and Manchester United, respectively.

“He will give us plenty of options. He can play at centre-back, across midfield and even at full-back as well,” Stoke manager Tony Pulis said.

“With the squad that we have, it’s always useful to have players who are versatile, so in that sense he will be a good asset for the club.

“We believe that he is a player who can cope with the Premier League because he has done exceptionally well over the past year.

“We have watched him a few times, but he also comes with great recommendations from many who consider him one of the top players in MLS.”

Meanwhile, Stoke defender Danny Collins has joined Nottingham Forest for an undisclosed fee after signing a three-year contract.

Forest manager Sean O’Driscoll had already affirmed his desire to bring the 31-year-old to the City Ground and the centre-back has since flown back to England from the Potters’ pre-season tour of the USA in order to put pen to paper.

Collins joined Stoke from Sunderland in 2009 and made 60 appearances for the club during a three-year spell. However, he barely featured in Pulis’ plans last year, spending time on loan at Ipswich Town before helping West Ham earn promotion to the Premier League.

Forest will be hopeful that he can repeat that feat under O’Driscoll and the club’s hierarchy were eager to express their delight at his capture.

Chairman Omar Al Hasawi said: “We are sure he will prove to be an excellent addition to the squad Sean O’Driscoll is assembling for the challenges that lie ahead.”