Stoke City have signed defender Leon Cort from Crystal Palace for a club record fee of £1.2 million.

The 28-year-old centre back, who has been on loan at the Britannia Stadium for the past two months, has played 14 of the Potters' 15 games since he arrived in November.

The high-flying club, currently fourth in the Championship, are the eighth of Cort's professional career.

Stoke chief executive Tony Scholes told the club's official website: "This club record signing shows the club's determination to build a team strong enough to challenge for promotion to the Premier League."

"He's a vastly experienced defender who's done extremely well for us while he's been here on loan."

Manager Tony Pulis added: "I'm delighted we've signed Leon permanently.

"Since he's come in he's been a smashing lad on and off the pitch who's also real danger at set pieces."

Eurosport