Potters win race for Butland
Stoke have completed the signing of England international goalkeeper Jack Butland from Birmingham.
The npower Championship club accepted an undisclosed fee from the Potters for the 19-year-old, with the keeper set to stay at Birmingham on loan until the end of the season.
Butland had earlier rejected talks with Chelsea because of his desire to play regular first-team football and had also been linked with Liverpool, Fulham, Newcastle and Manchester City in this window.
Butland joined the Birmingham academy aged 14 and made his first-team breakthrough this season following a successful loan at Cheltenham.
His rise through the ranks also saw him become England's youngest ever goalkeeper when he won his first senior cap in a friendly against Italy last August.
Both Everton and Southampton tried to sign the talented teenager last summer after he was called up to the England squad for Euro 2012 after third-choice goalkeeper John Ruddy broke his finger.
Meanwhile, the Potters have completed the £2.5million signing of United States winger Brek Shea from FC Dallas.
Shea has signed a four-and-a-half year contract at the Britannia Stadium after the club made a successful appeal for a work permit earlier in the day.
Stoke boss Tony Pulis told the club's official website: "It's fantastic news that we have been able to push through a deal.
"Brek is a very, very exciting player, and one who we firmly believe could go on to become an outstanding player for this football club. He has terrific pace, a very good left foot and is capable of scoring goals. He has all the tools needed to be a success here."
