Stoke confirm Batth

Stoke City have confirmed the signing of Danny Batth from Wolverhampton Wanderers on a permanent deal. The centre-back will sign a contract that should keep him at the Bet365 Stadium for three and a half years, while the transfer fee to be paid for his services remains officially undisclosed.

Batth was an important part of the Wolves team as they battled their way to the Premier League promotion last season with 21 appearances, and this term he has played 13 games on loan at Middlesbrough.

The 28-year-old defender is Stoke’s third permanent signing of the transfer window, following the loan deals of striker Benik Afobe and midfielder Ryan Woods being turned into permanent ones under the terms of the original agreements. Club CEO Tony Scholes says the defensive part of the squad needed some refreshing and he believes the acquisition of Batth will provide exactly that. Manager Nathan Jones considers him a “dominant leader of a centre-half”, with a great pedigree.