Stoke sign Sunderland defender

Danny Higginbotham has rejoined Stoke from Sunderland on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee, the club have announced on their website.

The 29-year-old returns to the Britannia Stadium after just one year with the Black Cats following a £3m move in the summer of 2007.

The defender made 22 appearances in the north east and scored three goals and was in the starting line-up as Sunderland beat Tottenham 1-0 at White Hart Lane last month.

Stoke chief executive Tony Scholes told the club’s website, stokecityfc.co.uk: “Danny is a player we know very well and we are very happy to have him back here.”