STOKE City have signed Republic of Ireland winger James McClean from fellow Championship club West Bromwich Albion for an initial £5m.
The fee for the 29-year-old Derry lad could rise to £6m with add-ons.
McClean, who becomes Stoke’s fourth signing of the summer, has agreed a four-year contract with the Potters.
“James is a player I’ve admired for a long time. He has real quality with his left foot and is an old-fashioned winger,” said boss Gary Rowett.
McClean refused to attend a pre-season training camp in Scotland with the Baggies earlier this month.
McClean, who joined from West Bromwich Albion for £5m rising to a possible £6m, says: “I really do think that Stoke are well placed for the future and that was one of the key reasons behind my decision to come here.
“The fact that Stoke have managed to keep the backbone of their team and that they’ve made a few good signings fills me with optimism. I’m really delighted to be here – it looks positive for the future.
“Stoke City is a club that doesn’t want to be in the Championship and I’m the same. Hopefully myself and the club can get back there at the first time of asking.
“There’s great passion among the supporters for the club – whenever I’ve played here in the past the noise has been really noticeable and hopefully that will spur us on this season.
“Gary tried to sign me for Derby in January and he wanted me when he was in charge of Birmingham and I was at Wigan, so you could say he’s been persistent.
Derry’s James McClean wears his Ireland shirt with pride
“It’s up to me to repay the faith he’s shown in me.
McClean could get his first run-out in a City shirt in Wednesday’s friendly against Wolves at the bet365 Stadium and that can’t come a moment too soon after what he admits has been a frustrating summer.
“For the last seven or eight weeks it seems to have been a case of something would happen over the course of the next 24 or 48 hours.
“It’s been frustrating and it hasn’t been ideal but it’s done now and I’m glad to be a Stoke City player and can’t wait to get started,” he added.
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