By Fraser Nicholson

  • Midfielder agrees three-year deal
  • Agreement to take effect at the start of July
  • He’s the Club’s third signing of the transfer window

Stoke City are delighted to confirm that Josh Laurent is to become the Club’s third signing of the summer.

The 27-year-old midfielder has agreed to sign a three-year contract which will take effect from July 1 when his current agreement with Reading comes to an end.

He follows Aden Flint and Harry Clarke in checking in the bet365 Stadium so far this transfer window as the Potters continue their preparations for the 2022/23 season.

Laurent said: “I’m really happy to get it done. There has been interest from Stoke for a while and as soon as soon as it became clear I was going to become a free agent they called me and let me know just how interested they were. They showed me how much they wanted me.

“The manager went down to London to talk to me and that meant a lot. He told me how much he wanted me and assured me that

“I would play. It was all down to him really because he made me feel wanted and spelt out how he felt he could progress my career.”

Manager Michael O’Neill added: “Josh has made a tremendous impact in the Championship over the past couple of years. He fits the profile of player we are looking for and we are really pleased to have secured him.”

Laurent came through the ranks at Wycombe and QPR but got his first taste of senior action with Brentford. After a loan spell with Newport County, he joined Hartlepool United and in January 2017 he secured a move into the Championship with Wigan Athletic.

It was at Shrewsbury where his career really gathered pace and he has gone from strength to strength since moving to Reading two years ago, as emphasised by him winning their Player of the Season award at the end of his first campaign with the Berkshire club.