Rory Delap has joined Stoke on loan from Sunderland for three months.
Stoke City have signed a second midfielder in as many days with Rory Delap moving to The Britannia Stadium on loan from Sunderland.The Potters moved to capture Salif Diao from Liverpool on Tuesday, and Republic of Ireland international Delap has now followed in the Senegal star's footsteps by penning a three-month deal with a view to a permanent move.
Black Cats boss Roy Keane seemingly has no desire to include Delap in his long-term plans at The Stadium of Light with the 30-year-old failing to feature in the North East club's last four league games.
Delap will now be playing for a future at Stoke, with a statement on Sunderland's website confirming that "The three-month deal is initially until January 2007, though both clubs are hoping the move will become permanent."
The player turned down interest from rival clubs, including former employers Derby County, to join Stoke, and Potters boss Tony Pulis says he is delighted to have secured the signature of the versatile performer.
"We've put in a lot of work to get Rory here. He is a quality player who can fill a variety of positions across the midfield or in defence," Pulis told Stoke's official website.
"He also has bags of experience, at this level and in The Premiership, and we are delighted he chose to join us.
"It wasn't easy to get him, there was interest from a number of other clubs, but with this signing, plus Diao and the other players we've brought in since the start of the season, word is now starting to get round that Stoke City is a good club to come to."
