´óÏó´«Ã½

Stoke City have signed midfielder Stephen Ireland on a season-long loan deal from Aston Villa.

The 27-year-old is the club's second signing on transfer deadline day following the arrival of Austria striker Marko Arnautovic.

Ireland will be reunited with Potters manager Mark Hughes having played under him at Manchester City.

Stoke chief executive Tony Scholes said: "Mark wanted to add him to his midfield and attacking options."

He added: "Arguably the most successful period of Stephen's career to date was when he played for Mark at City and we hope that he can rediscover that form."

The former Republic of Ireland international, who has also been loaned out to Newcastle, has made 45 Premier League appearances for Villa, having joined the Midlands club in August 2010.

The Potters added that they did not expect to make any more signings before Monday's 23:00 BST deadline.