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Stoke snap up Barcelona starlet Krkic on four-year deal

Bojan Krkic was held under high regard at Barcelona © Getty Images

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Stoke City have completed the signing of striker Bojan Krkic from Barcelona on a four-year contract.

Bojan, 23, came through the youth ranks at Barca and became the youngest player to reach 100 games for the club before fading out of the first-team picture under former coach Pep Guardiola.

Having played on loan at Roma, AC Milan and Ajax in the past three seasons, Bojan has decided to try to breathe new life into his career by moving to the Premier League on a permanent deal with Stoke, who appear to have secured a major coup.

#HolaBojan Stoke City are delighted to confirm the signing of @BoKrkic from @FCBarcelona on a 4-year deal

— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) July 22, 2014

Stoke paid "an undisclosed fee" for Bojan, who becomes manager Mark Hughes' fifth summer signing following the arrivals of Mame Biram Diouf, Steve Sidwell, Phil Bardsley and Dionatan Teixeira.

The striker will now fly out to join his new team-mates at their pre-season training base in Germany.

Hughes told Stoke's official website: "Anyone who knows European football will be aware of him as a player and the fact that he sees his future at Stoke City is really exciting and an endorsement of the club itself.

"He's desperate to prove himself in the Premier League and we're pleased to be able to offer him that platform. The time he spends with the squad in Germany will help him settle in and will give myself and the coaches the chance to take a good look at him."

Stoke chief executive Tony Scholes added: "We are delighted to have signed such a richly talented and exciting player, who is still only 23.

"A number of other clubs had expressed an interest in him but Bojan believes joining Stoke City will benefit his career and we have no doubts he will prove to be a wonderful addition to our squad.

"The signing of Bojan, along with the other players we have recruited ahead of the new season, underlines the progress we are making as a club."

BREAKING: Agreement with Stoke City for the transfer of Bojan Krkic pic.twitter.com/rYQQrnsuPg

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 22, 2014

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