Stockport defender Gareth Owen has joined Port Vale on loan until January, with a view to a permanent move.
He goes straight into the squad for the home clash with Barnet on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old had been close to joining the Valiants in October but instead spent a month on loan with League One side Yeovil Town.
Owen told BBC Radio Stoke: "The chairman and the manager have sold the club to me and I want to play my part in getting Port Vale up the league.
Owen was made available for loan after being told he had no future at Stockport by manager Jim Gannon and Vale boss Dean Glover said he has been tracking the former Oldham man for some time.
"I don't think my past with Stoke has any baring on me joining Vale...I give 100% all of the time"
"The pull of playing in a higher league led Gareth to go to Yeovil for a month but I'm pleased he has now decided to join us," said Glover.
"Financially we couldn't compete with the other clubs that wanted Gareth but we have a big pull in the sense that he is a Potteries boy."
Owen began his career as a trainee at Stoke City and will become one of a select band of players to have played for both the Potters and Vale.
"I don't think my past with Stoke has any baring on me joining Vale. Anyone who has seen me play knows I give 100% all of the time," said Owen.
"I'm honoured to have the chance to play for both clubs."
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