Stoke close to clinching Edu deal

LONDON - Agence France-Presse

Mexico's Javier Hernandez (R) fights for the ball with U.S. Maurice Edu during the first half of their soccer friendly match at Azteca stadium in Mexico City, August 15, 2012. REUTERS photo

Stoke City are closing in on sealing the transfer from Glasgow Rangers of US midfielder Maurice Edu, with only his work papers standing in the way.
 
Edu has been a long-standing target of Stoke manager Tony Pulis and last weekend agreed terms on a three-year deal. He then passed a medical.
 
The final obstacle was his work permit and, with the club confirming on their official website this morning that the English football authorities have given that the all-clear to proceed with that, the move looks set to go through.
 
Stoke have warned though that the 26-year-old is unlikely to be available for the weekend clash with Wigan owing to the time it would take to complete the paperwork.
 
Edu has won 37 caps for his country and spent four seasons with Rangers following a move from Toronto FC, winning three league titles and making 125 appearances for the club.
 
Stoke assistant manager Dave Kemp said of Edu: "He has been granted the work permit, but as usual, there are other bits of paper that have to be stamped and marked.
 
"He has another appointment tomorrow, I think with the Border Agency just to clarify that.
 
"But he has been granted the work permit, so hopefully we are very close to getting that over the line."