Source: Team_Talk
Potters pounce to bring in Walters
Stoke have announced the signing of Jon Walters from Ipswich for an initial fee of £2.75million on a four-year contract.[LNB] The 26-year-old forward, whose fee could rise to £3.25million depending on appearances, joins the Potters a week after their record £8million capture of Kenwyne Jones.[LNB]Stoke manager Tony Pulis said: "I have been looking to bring more goals to the squad and Jon certainly fits that bill.[LNB]"He has been one of the outstanding performers in the Championship over the past three years and I am confident the lad can make the same sort of impact in the Premier League now that he has been given this opportunity.[LNB]"The fact that he is versatile will increase competition for places in the squad which is something we have been looking to achieve."[LNB]Walters, who scored eight goals in the Championship last season, began his career as a trainee with Blackburn before spells with Bolton, Hull, Wrexham and Chester.[LNB]Birkenhead-born Walters said: "It's always good to know that a manager has that faith in your ability and that was certainly an influence on my decision to come here.[LNB]"I am excited about moving here and it is the fulfilment of a long-term goal of mine to get back into the Premier League.[LNB]"I had a sniff of it in my time at Bolton, but I knew that in dropping down the leagues, it would take a lot of hard work to get back there one day.[LNB]"I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Ipswich, especially being the captain of the club, but this was the opportunity I had been working towards and I'm glad it's come at a club like Stoke."[LNB]
