Stoke have confirmed the £500,000 permanent capture of on-loan Preston star Danny Pugh on a three-and-a-half year contract.Pugh, who has played at left-back, left midfield and central midfield on loan with the Potters, will officially become a Stoke player on January 15.

The former Manchester United trainee, 25, has impressed in his 13 appearances in his two-month spell at the Britannia Stadium.

And City boss Tony Pulis admitted his delight to have confirmation of the deal.

"Danny's already a big part of the team here and I'm delighted to have tied him down on a permanent deal," he said.

"He's come in on loan and done extremely well, played in three different positions and never let us down."

Chief executive Tony Scholes added on the club's official website: "To sign a player of Danny's ability on a three and a half year contract again shows that we mean business and that we are determined to take this club forward."

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