Woodgate Signed and Sealed

Stoke City have today signed 31 year-old Johnathan Woodgate on a free transfer. Stoke wish to extend his contract to 2 years if he proves his fitness. 

Woodgate has been given a chance to stay in the Premier League despite his recent injury problems

"There is no doubt that we have acquired a player with outstanding quality and experience but he is one who has clearly struggled with injuries over the past two years," commented City's Chief Executive Tony Scholes."However, sometimes a fresh start can trigger a change of fortunes. Jonathan has been working very hard throughout the summer on his fitness so he is desperate to make the most of this opportunity and to play in the Premier League."

Woodgate fly out to Austria later in the week to meet and train with his new team mates.

Speaking from Irdning, manager Tony Pulis said: "The lad is a top class player and it's been well documented that he has had his injury troubles, but we believe that if his fitness is managed properly, he will play games for us.

"We know that other Premier League clubs were keen on signing Jonathan, so we are delighted he has chosen us. It's a chance we are taking, but one we were keen to take because of the stature and quality of the player."

He added: "We've effectively taken him on a pay-as-you-play deal which just shows how desperate the lad is to get his career back on the right track."

Woodgate will be reunited with a former Middlesbrough team-mate Robert Huth at the Britannia Stadium, the pair having played together at the heart of the north east club's defence when they were in the Premier League five years ago.

Prior to that, he enjoyed a successful spell with Leeds United, before moving on to Newcastle United and then had two year stint with Real Madrid.

After returning to the English game with Middlesbrough, he joined Tottenham in a £7 million deal in January 2008 and was a key figure in the following season when they recovered from a disastrous start to finish eighth in the Premier League.

Woodgate has won eight international caps with England, the first of which came back in Kevin Keegan's reign in 1999 while he was at Leeds. His fine form for hometown club Middlesbrough earned him a recall in February 2007.