Hoult joins Stoke

West Brom’s veteran goalkeeper Russell Hoult has ended his six-year association with the club by joining Stoke on a free transfer.

The 34-year-old was suspended for Albion’s FA Cup tie at Wolves on Sunday following newspaper articles about his private life.

The club had launched an internal investigation into Hoult’s behaviour and there was speculation the remaining four months of his contract would be terminated.

But the former Derby player has now made the move to fellow Coca-Cola Championship promotion chasers Stoke.

Hoult made a total of 213 appearances for Albion and kept a club record 27 clean sheets when they were promoted to the Barclays Premiership in 2001-02.

His days at the club appeared to be numbered once Albion signed Portsmouth keeper Dean Kiely, 36, on an 18-month contract yesterday.

Swiss international Pascal Zuberbuhler is Albion’s other senior keeper and is now likely to remain at The Hawthorns until the end of the season.