標題: Stoke sign defender Sonko from Reading [打印本頁] 作者: chuu 時間: 2008-8-30 08:34 AM 標題: Stoke sign defender Sonko from Reading
Stoke have signed defender Ibrahima Sonko on a three-year deal from Reading for a fee which could be worth up to £2.25million.
The 27-year-old moves to the Potters after four years with the Royals where hewas a mainstay of the squad that claimed promotion to the Premier Leaguealthough his appearances in their two-year stay in the top flight wererestricted by injury.
The deal will initially cost the newly-promoted club £2million potentiallyrising to £2.25million.
Stoke chief executive Tony Scholes told the club's official website: 'We are delighted to make Ibrahima the club's latestsigning.
'He is a quality addition to the squad and comes with plenty of Premier Leagueexperience having played in the top flight with Reading.'
Sonko made 122 league starts for the Royals following his transfer fromBrentford and quickly established himself at the heart of their centraldefence.
Sonko has captained Senegal Under-23s but is still eligible to play for France- where he lived from the age of six months - because his only appearance forthe Senegal senior side came in an unofficial friendly.
Reading director of football Nick Hammond told the club's official website: 'Ibrahima Sonko has been a terrific performer in theclub's recent development.
'But centre-half is a particularly strong position for us in terms of bothquality and quantity, especially with the continuing emergence of Alex Pearce,who adds to the experience offered by Ivar Ingimarsson, Michael Duberry andAndre Bikey.
'Bearing that in mind, we felt the timing is right for this deal and it isprobably a good time for Ibrahima to seek a fresh challenge.'
Sonko is Stoke's seventh signing of the summer and follows fellow ex-Royal DaveKitson to the Britannia Stadium, as well as Seyi Olofinjana, Thomas Sorensen,Abdoulaye Faye, Andrew Davies and Amdy Faye.
Earlier, midfielder Anthony Pulis signed a two-year contract with Coca-ColaChampionship side Southampton after moving to St Mary's on a free transfer.
The 24-year-old had been with the Potters for three-and-a-half years sincesigning from Portsmouth in December 2004 but his first-team chances had beenlimited and he was sent out on loan to a number of clubs.
Pulis did not start a league game and spent spells with Torquay, Plymouth,Grimsby and Bristol Rovers.
Pulis - the son of Stoke manager Tony - agreed a two-year deal with the Saintswith the option of a third and becomes the second player involved in atransaction between the two clubs this summer following Davies' decision to jointhe Potters.
Assistant manager Dave Kemp believes the move is a fresh start for the player.
He told the club's official website, www.stokecityfc.co.uk: 'He's a great lad,he's been very popular here but obviously it's difficult when your father is themanager.
'It is a great opportunity for him to push on with his own career and everyoneat the club wishes him all the best as he embarks on an exciting new challengewith Southampton.'
