Stoke make triple transfer swoop

Higginbotham started his career at Man Utd

Stoke City have re-signed centre-back Danny Higginbotham from Sunderland on a busy transfer deadline day for the Premier League new boys.

The 29-year-old Higginbotham penned a three-year deal after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed fee.

And the club beat the deadline to secure the signings of midfielders Tom Soares and Michael Tonge.

Soares, 22, arrived from Crystal Palace for £1.25m, while Tonge, 25, cost £2m from Sheffield United.

Both players have signed four-year contracts.

Soares, whose fee could rise to £2m, is a Palace academy graduate and has also played for England Under-21s.

"We are delighted to have captured a very talented young English player like Tom," chief executive Tony Scholes told the club's official website.

606: DEBATE All in all, it's been a pretty good transfer window for us scfc-boothen-girl

"Despite being only 22 years old he has amassed over 150 league appearances and also has Premier League experience.

"He is a player the manager rates extremely highly and we believe he will prove to be an excellent signing for the club."

Tonge has been with Sheffield United for eight years, making more than 250 appearances for the club.

"I am delighted to have signed a player like Michael," said Stoke manager Tony Pulis. "I have been a long-time admirer of him and he will bring a lot to our squad.

"He can play in a number of positions, which is important, and he will add some balance to the squad."

Higginbotham, a former Manchester United defender, joined the Black Cats from the Potters for £2.5m last summer.

He has also played for Southampton and Derby after starting his career as a trainee at Old Trafford.

"He was a huge success here last time and did very well at Sunderland so to get him back is brilliant news," added Scholes.