Stoke secure Shea signing

Stoke City completed the £2.5m signing of United States winger Brek Shea from FC Dallas. Shea has signed a four-and-a-half year contract at the Britannia Stadium after the club made a successful appeal for a work permit earlier today. Stoke boss Tony Pulis told the club's official website: "It's fantastic news that we have been able to push through a deal. Brek is a very, very exciting player, and one who we firmly believe could go on to become an outstanding player for this football club." I like the style of play in English football – it’s fast, it’s up and down and it suits me well. Brek Shea, newly signed Stoke City winger "He has terrific pace, a very good left foot and is capable of scoring goals," Pulis added. "He has all the tools needed to be a success here." Shea is the Potters' first signing of the January transfer window. The American  is looking forward to getting started with Stoke, but first he needs to travel back to Texas to finish the formalities of the transfer with MLS club FC Dallas. “It’s been up and down, trying to figure out what’s going on, but I’m here now and ready to go," Shea said. "It’s one of the best leagues in the world, and I’m excited to be here and hopefully I can contribute. If a team wants you and they’re like this, then why wouldn’t you sign? I like the style of play in English football – it’s fast, it’s up and down and it suits me well.” “I like to attack and get forward, and sometimes I can be exciting! I have good speed and a little bit of skill,” he added. “It’s different here – the surfaces are different, the players are different, but I think it suits my play. In terms of fitness, it’ll take a couple of weeks for me to get going but I’m a lot further down than I thought.” From FIFA