Stoke City chief executive Tony Scholes was over the moon after securing the services of Giannelli Imbula from Porto.

The Potters captured the 23-year-old defensive midfielder in a club-record £18.3million transfer from the Portuguese club on transfer deadline day and his arrival has Scholes optimistic about the remainder of the season.

Scholes told the club's official website: "Giannelli is a player we have been trailing for some time and we are delighted to have concluded a deal to sign him.

"At one stage it looked unlikely that we would be able to get the deal over the line but things accelerated quickly earlier today and Giannelli is really excited about the prospect of playing in the Premier League with us."