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Published: Tuesday 02 Sep 2008
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Higgy aims to put move controversy behind him
Soares attracted by Britannia atmosphere

Stoke complete treble swoop but miss out on Camara and Ledley

STOKE City manager Tony Pulis is ready to splash the cash again in January after the club beat last night’s transfer deadline to complete a £6m treble swoop for Danny Higginbotham, Tom Soares and Michael Tonge.

The signings took Stoke’s summer influx to 10 players at an overall cost of about £19m.

However, Pulis will look to strengthen further when the transfer window reopens in January having missed out on Cardiff winger Joe Ledley, despite bidding £6m for the Wales international in the final hours before the midnight deadline.

Stoke also missed out on a striker after a late deal for Wigan’s Henri Camara fell through.
However, the Stoke boss is delighted with each of his three new recruits after a day of frantic transfer activity.

Although Cardiff refused to sell Ledley, Pulis filled the vacancy on the left of midfield by recruiting Tonge from Sheffield United for £2m.

The 25-year-old, who can also play in central midfield, has signed a four-year contract with City.

Pulis, who confirmed he aims to spend further in January, moved for Tonge after consulting his former coach Sam Ellis, now the assistant manager at Sheffield United.

Pulis said: “It is a signing we worked very hard on behind the scenes. I spoke to big Sam Ellis and he has given him a great recommendation.

“He has good qualities, can play on the left-hand side of the pitch and, at 25, is a good age.

“He and Tom Soares are both good ages and, at 29, Danny Higginbotham is an experienced player for us.”

Soares, aged 22, has also signed a four-year contract after City agreed a £1.5m deal with Palace which could rise to £2m.

The former England under-21 international has played 162 games for Palace, including 16 Premier League starts when the club was last in the top flight in 2004-2005.

The youngster, who can play all across the midfield, only learned of City’s interest yesterday morning and, like Tonge, completed the move in the last hour before the midnight deadline.

Pulis said: “We think Tom is a very good player for this football club.

“He is a good investment and we just think he will get better and better.

“We were very surprised, but delighted, he was on the market and for the price we got him. We think it is a cracking deal.

“He has impressed me in the last couple of years, and I have to say there were a lot of clubs watching him.

“We had a call out of the blue to say he was available. We pursued it and managed to get it sorted out.”

Higginbotham became Stoke’s fourth defensive recruit of the summer when he re-signed for the club 12 months after leaving for Sunderland in a £3m deal.

The former Stoke captain, who returns for just over £2m, has signed a three-year contract.
Pulis added: “We know Danny and I am very pleased to get a bit more cover on the left-hand side, whether that is as a centre-half or at left-back.

“We know he can cover those two positions and he has a wealth of experience in the Premier League, which is important for us.”

Stoke had intended to smash their club record £5.5m fee by also landing Ledley, but Pulis was philosophical after Cardiff refused to part with the 21-year old. He said: “I am disappointed because I think Joe is a very good player, but we have to respect Cardiff. He is their player and maybe it was never going to happen.”

No players left the Britannia Stadium on deadline day, although striker Jon Parkin’s loan to Preston became a £500,000 permanent deal.

STOKE City’s second string kick-off their Premier Reserve League South campaign when Aston Villa are the visitors to the Britannia tomorrow (7pm).

CITY’S home Carling Cup tie with Reading will be played on Tuesday, September 23 (7.45pm)