Eustace joins Watford

John Eustace has agreed to join Watford in a deal worth up to £400,000.

Eustace’s move came on the final day of the January transfer window and seems to have taken most people by surprise. The initial fee of £250,000 will rise to £400,000 if Watford gain promotion.

Eustace joined the Potters in 2003 from Coventry City, but after a good start suffered an appalling run of injuries that meant he missed nearly two full seasons and only back into regular contention for a first team place at the start of this season. He soon regained his previous form and had been stand-in skipper whilst Dominic Matteo has been out injured.

He is the third Stoke player to leave this month, following Clint Hill (Palace) and Peter Sweeney (Leeds).