Stoke have completed the permanent signing of Stephen Ireland from Aston Villa.

The midfielder had been on loan at the Britannia Stadium and impressed manager Mark Hughes who had been hoping to finalize a permanent deal.

The 27-year-old has scored 3 times in 16 appearances, and the club have now decided to sign the midfielder on a permanent 18-month deal.

That move for the Cork man has freed up a spot to bring in another player on loan and Manchester City striker John Guidetti has been earmarked and joins until the end of the season.