Stoke manager Tony Pulis completed a triple swoop just before the transfer deadline, snapping up Eidur Gudjohnsen, Marc Wilson and Jermaine Pennant.
While Monaco forward Gudjohnsen and Portsmouth defender Wilson have been linked with the move to the Britannia Stadium in recent days, the arrival of Real Zaragoza winger Pennant is a surprise.
Gudjohnsen and Pennant have both joined on a temporary basis, with the Finn on loan for the season and former Liverpool winger set to stay for six months, while Wilson has joined on a permanent deal that sees Liam Lawrence and Dave Kitson head in the opposite direction.
And a statement on the Potters’ official website: “Manager Tony Pulis indicated that he wanted to bring in goals to the first-team squad and the signings of Gudjohnsen and Pennant, coming on top of those of (Kenwyne) Jones and (Jon) Walters, fulfilled that objective on what proved to be a busy deadline day.”
Earlier in the day Pulis brought Senegal midfielder Salif Diao back to the club on a two-year deal.