STOKE CITY have today secured their first major signing for the 2013-14 season by capturing Dutch international defender Erik Pieters. The 24-year-old left back has put pen-to-paper on a four year contract to seal his move from PSV Eindhoven for 3.6 million euros.
Pieters, who has won 17 international caps for Holland, completed the transfer to the Britannia Stadium after travelling to the Potteries for talks and a medical, thus strengthening new manager Mark Hughes’ defensive resources.
City’s Chief Executive Tony Scholes commented: “Erikhas a considerable amount of experience of playing at the highestlevel, both on the international stage with Holland and in the ChampionsLeague with PSV Eindhoven.
“Heis a player who was identified by our Technical Director MarkCartwright as one who could strengthen our defensive options and we havebeen tracking his progress, so we are delighted to have brought himhere now.”
Hughes stressed: “I am delighted to have secured Erik's signature. The main focus this summer in attempting to strengthen the squad is ensuring it is balanced in key positions.
“WhileErik is predominantly a left back, he has also played for his countryas a central defender, so he gives us other options.
“Weneed good quality in our starting eleven and good quality back-up forall areas, which Erik will certainly give us defensively.”
Pieters began his career with FC Utrecht; his emergence in the 2007-08 season leading to a move to PSV in a 2.5 million euro transfer.
When he continued that progress at PSV, it led to him making his international debut following the retirement of Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
In his five years at the Philips Stadium, Pieters has been a prominent figure in a side that has won domestic honours and competed in Europe.
http://www.stokecityfc.com/news/article/pieters-a-potter-886234.aspx [ 此帖被barrin在2013-06-29 04:38重新編輯 ]
