Stoke manager Mark Hughes delighted to land Spain international Bojan Krkic the former Barcelona prodigy once hailed as the next Lionel Messi
Firepower: Stoke are confident of wrapping up a deal for Bojan in the next few days which will see him sign for the season
Bojan Krkic, the former Barcelona prodigy once hailed as the next Lionel Messi, has signed for Stoke City in a £3million deal.
The Spain international flew out to Germany on Tuesday night to join Mark Hughes's squad on their pre-season tour and will sign a four-year contract.
Bojan, 23, held talks with Hughes a fortnight ago and also passed a medical but Stoke feared missing out when negotiations with Barcelona stalled.
But Bojan verbally agreed to move to the Britannia Stadium on Monday night and his arrival ensures a remarkable coup for Hughes.
A product of Barcelona's famed academy, which has produced talents such as Messi, Andrés Iniesta and Xavi, he made his debut for the Catalan club at the age of 17 and is determined to rebuild his career after falling off the radar in recent years.
Hughes, a former Barcelona player, said: "Anyone who knows European football will be aware of him as a player and the fact he sees his future at Stoke is really exciting and an endorsement of the club.
"He's desperate to prove himself in the Premier League and we're pleased to be able to offer him that platform."
Stoke's pursuit of Liverpool winger Oussama Assaidi is hanging in the balance, however, over personal terms.
Liverpool had agreed an initial £4.5million fee, potentially rising to £7million with add-ons, but the deal is now in doubt after Assaidi's representatives stunned Stoke with their wage demands.
