MICHAEL O'NEILL has made his first signing of the summer for Stoke City after snapping up towering defender Aden Flint for free.
The 32-year-old has been a long-term target for the Potters' boss, who finally got his man after Flint let his Cardiff City contract run down to become a free agent.
The 6ft 6ins defender has agreed a one-year-deal after scoring 12 goals in 92 appearances for the Bluebirds.
Flint said: “I’m delighted to get it over the line, it’s been in the pipeline for a few weeks now.
“I spoke to the gaffer while I was on holiday and I’m just delighted to be able to get it done.”
Stoke assistant manager Dean Holden said: “We are delighted to get him through the doors.
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“He’s a player who has been mentioned over the last couple of transfer windows.
"So to get it over the line and sorted in time for pre-season, we are really pleased.”
Meanwhile, O'Neill has been handed a major boost in his bid to sign striker Josh Maja on a permanent deal from French crisis club Bordeaux.
The famous French club's financial meltdown has seen them plunge out of Ligue 1.
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And they are set to be demoted to the third tier after running up debts of £35million.
Maja joined Stoke on loan in January and the Potters have an option to make the deal permanent for a cut-price fee as Bordeaux must claw back £20million in player sales by the end of this month.
The London-born Nigerian, 23, netted once in 15 Championship games for the Potters.
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