Stoke sign Wolves midfielder

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy believes Stoke have signed a potential Premier League star in Seyi Olofinjana.

Potters boss Tony Pulis today agreed to pay Wolves £3m for the Nigeria international, who arrives at the Britannia Stadium on a four-year deal.

While McCarthy is sorry to lose the combative midfielder, he is confident the 28-year-old has the ability to succeed in the top flight.

"He's a Premier League player and if he gets the opportunity he'll go on," McCarthy said.

"Everyone I've spoken to, I've said 'take him' because if I was a Premier League manager I'd sign him. He's that good."

Despite the former Brann player making a name for himself with Wanderers, the former Ireland boss insists Stoke will see even more from him in the coming season.

"He'll probably be even better in the Premier League than he was in the Championship," added McCarthy.

The size of the transfer fee makes Olofinjana the second most expensive purchase in City's history - a matter of days after shelling out £5.5m on Reading's Dave Kitson.

But chief executive Tony Scholes and Pulis agree that Olofinjana's quality and experience make him an important signing.

Pulis, who revealed that there had been interest from a number of Premier League clubs, told the club's official website, www.stokecityfc.co.uk: "Seyi is a great acquisition for this football club and I am delighted he chose to join us ahead of several other top-flight clubs.

"He is a player we think will enhance the squad and again it shows our ambitions to be competitive in the Premier League."

Scholes added: "I'm delighted we've signed a Nigerian international to compliment the rest of our squad."