Stoke announce defender deal

Stoke have announced the signing of Macedonian international left-back Goran Popov from Dynamo Kiev on a season-long loan.

Tony Pulis first took an interest in the 27-year-old when the Potters came up against the Ukrainian outfit during last season's Europa League. The Stoke boss have now swooped to strengthen his defensive options by bringing in Popov, who is expected to put the finishing touches to his temporary switch on Monday. Popov has played for Greek, Dutch and Russian teams, as well as in Ukraine, and Pulis is happy to have the experienced full-back at the club. Pulis told the club's official website: "Goran really impressed me last season. He's an experienced player for his age and he has a great left foot on him. "Naturally gifted left-sided players are like gold-dust, so he will give us strength in depth down that left hand side which can only improve us. "Goran wants to play in the Premier League and he was impressed with us when we played the two games against them in the Europa League. "It's a season-long loan, so we have got a good opportunity to see how he adjusts to English football before we make a commitment to signing him."