It’s official: Stoke land Cort

Stoke City have announced that they have finally completed the loan transfer of Leon Cort from Crystal Palace.

He joins on a two month loan, but the Potters plan to sign him on a permanent deal in January, rumoured to be £1m. He should be available to play against Coventry City at the Brit tomorrow and is the second new face this week after Danny Pugh signed on loan yesterday from Preston North End.

Stoke agreed personal terms with the 28 year old defender in midweek and he has already been training with the first team whilst the two clubs finalised the contracts. Cort’s been handed the number 5 shirt that used to be Michael Duberry’s until his move to Reading at the start of the year.

Palace decided not to pursue their interest in Clint Hill, who had been originally proposed as part of the deal.