STOKE CITY have today secured the capture of Michael Kightly from Wolverhampton Wanderers for an undisclosed fee.
The 26-year-old midfielder put pen-to-paper to seal the transfer after agreeing personal terms and completing a medical.
Kightlymakes the short move across Staffordshire to the Britannia Stadium toprovide more competition in wide positions within manager Tony Pulis’squad as the Club prepares for a fifth season in the Premier League.
“Thereis nothing better than to have strong competition in all areas of thesquad and Michael’s arrival will give us that in the wide positions,”commented Pulis following confirmation that Kightly had completed hismove.
“I’ve longbeen an admirer of Michael, not only in terms of him being a provider,but also the fact that he gets his share of goals.
“Ourtwo wingers, Matthew Etherington and Jermaine Pennant, have beenbrilliant for this Football Club over the past few years, but they wentoff the boil in terms of goalscoring last season, so we wanted toaddress that.”
“Competition for places will bring the best out of them again and that is what Michael’s presence will give us in that area.”
Kightlyis excited about the prospect of remaining in the top-flight of Englishfootball following his switch to the Britannia Stadium.
“It’sa great club; an established Premier League club, so I am delighted tobe here,” he said after finalising the transfer from Wolves.
“Anyfootballer wants to play at the highest level and I am grateful toStoke for giving me the chance to stay in the Premier League.
“TheClub sold itself to me. What they have achieved over the past few yearshas been remarkable. Then there’s the excellent facilities and, ofcourse, the supporters. So, it’s definitely a Club that is moving in theright direction.”
England Under-21 international Kightly has made the move to Stoke after spending five years with Staffordshire rivals Wolves.
Originally from Basildon, he joined the Molineux club after catching the eye while playing for Conference side Grays Athletic.
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