Gudjohnsen signs permanent Stoke deal

Stoke's transfer deadline day coup of landing Eidur Gudjohnsen from Monaco became even bigger today after they converted his loan move into a permanent one-year deal.

The Potters announced the signing of former Chelsea and Barcelona striker Gudjohnsen on a season-long loan from Monaco shortly after the window closed last night.

But upon discovering the 31-year-old's contract with the French club was due to expire next summer, they agreed an undisclosed fee to make the move permanent.

Manager Tony Pulis told his club's official website, www.stokecityfc.com: "The fact that Eidur is now our player makes this an even better piece of transfer business for this football club.

"The lad desperately wanted to come back and play in the Premier League and he is eager to make his mark at this level again, so he now has an excellent opportunity to achieve that ambition here and help the club move forward."

Gudjohnsen was one of three new arrivals whose signing went down to the wire at the Britannia Stadium yesterday.

The club had been awaiting confirmation from the Premier League that the transfers of Gudjohnsen, Jermaine Pennant and Marc Wilson had gone through in time.

Former Liverpool winger Pennant, who joins on loan from Real Zaragoza until January, arrived at City's Clayton Wood Training Ground at lunchtime today.

Pulis revealed Gudjohnsen and Salif Diao, who returned to the club yesterday on a two-year deal after his contract expired at the end of last season, would be put through a "mini pre-season" over the next 12 days, while Pennant's fitness would also be assessed.

"We're looking for Eidur and Jermaine to come in and make an impact, so at least we have these next 12 days to get them ready," said Pulis, whose side's next match is the Barclays Premier League clash with Aston Villa on Monday week.

"What part they have to play in the Aston Villa match will be determined by how much work we can do with them between now and then."

Gudjohnsen was won over by the club's ambition.

He told Sky Sports News: "I had many options from all over the world and it went down to the last minute.

"I'm here for the season and I intend to do my best and help the team as much as I can.

"They're showing a lot of ambition. They've signed a few players this summer. They're a team to be reckoned with.

"It's not an easy place to come and get points. I hope to add a little bit of quality and experience."

Wilson was Pulis' other permanent signing, the 23-year-old penning a four-year contract yesterday after arriving from Portsmouth in a deal that also saw Liam Lawrence and Dave Kitson move in the opposite direction.

Pulis said: "With Wilson, we paid around £1.5million plus two players, and we think that's good business as well. He's a good young player who will hopefully grow with this football club."

He added of the Pennant deal: "We spoke right at the start of pre-season but it was too difficult a deal then.

"As it got close to the deadline, the deal became more viable and we worked very hard with the agent to make sure he comes in on our terms and the money we can afford."

Stoke have had a disappointing start to the season, with losses to Wolves, Tottenham and Chelsea, but Pulis was hoping his new recruits - coupled with the earlier signings of Kenwyne Jones and Jonathan Walters - would make a difference.

He added: "It shows the way the club's moved on but we've got to make sure they come in and have the same attitude as the rest of the players.

"If they do that then hopefully they'll make us a better team."