• Premier League

Stoke add Kightly to ranks from Wolves

ESPN staff
August 8, 2012
Michael Kightly is heading for the Britannia Stadium © PA Photos
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Stoke City have confirmed the signing of winger Michael Kightly from Wolverhampton Wanderers for an undisclosed fee.

Former England Under-21 international Kightly, 26, ends a five-year spell at Molineux following the club's relegation to the Championship.

Kightly told Stoke's official website: "It's a great club, an established Premier League club, so I am delighted to be here. Any footballer wants to play at the highest level and I am grateful to Stoke for giving me the chance to stay in the Premier League.

"The club sold itself to me. What they have achieved over the past few years has been remarkable. Then there's the excellent facilities and, of course, the supporters, so it's definitely a club that is moving in the right direction."

Stoke boss Tony Pulis is hopeful Kightly will contribute goals and add depth to the squad.

"There is nothing better than to have strong competition in all areas of the squad and Michael's arrival will give us that in the wide positions," Pulis said. "I've long been an admirer of Michael, not only in terms of him being a provider but also the fact that he gets his share of goals.

"Our two wingers, Matthew Etherington and Jermaine Pennant, have been brilliant for this football club over the past few years, but they went off the boil in terms of goalscoring last season so we wanted to address that.

"Competition for places will bring the best out of them again and that is what Michael's presence will give us in that area."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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