Huge day for Stole City as they spent around £20million, including a club-record fee of £10million for Spurs striker Peter Crouch. In addition to Crouch, Stoke also signed midfielder Wilson Palacios and forward Cameron Jerome. The Crouch deal could even rise to £12million dependent on the fulfilment of various clauses.
“These fantastic deals are a statement of this football club’s intent,” said City’s chief executive Tony Scholes after completing the triple transfer swoop. “The club has made incredible strides forward over the past five years and to attract players of this calibre shows our ambitions as we look to continue that progress this season and beyond that.”
Stoke boss Tony Pulis added:
“There has been a real buzz of excitement around the city about where this club is going since we reached the FA Cup final and then started our Europa League adventure. These signings certainly add to that great sense of anticipation. We now have good options in midfield and up front with these captures add to the experienced additions we also made at the back by bringing in two England defenders Jonathan Woodgate and Matthew Upson earlier in the transfer window. Peter has an excellent goalscoring record at the highest level. His goals-per-games ratio for England is remarkable and he scored seven goals in 10 Champions League games for Tottenham last season which gives you an idea of his pedigree.”
Stoke finally landed Palacios at the transfer deadline for a reported £8 million. Tony Pulis spoke of his delight that the deal has been finalised:
“This is a fantastic deal for the football club because Wilson has proved himself to be a top class performer at the highest level. He has a considerable amount of international experience and played a prominent part in getting Tottenham into the Champions League only two years ago. He has great energy and the qualities to become a driving force in the middle of the park; the type of player our fans will love. We have been looking to strengthen our options in midfield and I am delighted to have him on board.”
Jerome has joined the club for an undisclosed fee on a four-year deal from Birmingham.
“We are delighted to conclude this deal,” said chief executive Tony Scholes in announcing the signing of the 25-year-old striker.
Stoke’s chief executive Tony Scholes hit the nail on the head when he said that these transfers for a statement of the club’s intent. With Aston Villa and Everton slipping backwards this summer, are Stoke now the best team in the Premier League outside the big six?
