Stoke seal Lawrence deal

Stoke have completed the permanent signing of Liam Lawrence from Sunderland.

Lawrence had been on loan at Stoke for the last two months after dropping down the pecking order at Sunderland.

The 24-year-old impressed during his loan spell and the club have moved to sign him in a £500,000 deal.

Lawrence, who has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal at The Britannia Stadium, was delighted to make his move permanent.

"I'm delighted it's all done and dusted now and I can finally look forward to being a Stoke player," Lawrence told the club's official website.

"It began as a loan move where I could play some football and show what I can do.

"I'm really enjoying it and the team is doing really well."