'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Stoke City have pulled off a double signing in their bid to avoid relegation from the Premier League, bringing in Manchester City striker John Guidetti on loan and making Stephen Ireland’s loan deal from Aston Villa permanent.
Guidetti worked under Hughes when the Stoke boss was in charge at the Etihad Stadium, and moves to the Britannia on loan for the rest of the season. The 21 year old is yet to play for Manchester City, but has had a number of successful loan spells. The most notable of these came in the 2011/12 season, in which he scored 20 goals in 23 games on loan at Dutch side Feyenoord. Welcoming his new signing, Hughes believes that Guidetti’s arrival will bring goals to his Stoke side. “He’s a natural goalscorer and if we can get him into the right areas he will take chances,”said the Stoke boss.
Hughes also wrapped up another piece of business with the permanent arrival of Stephen Ireland. The midfielder had been on loan from Aston Villa, but was deemed surplus to requirements by Villa boss Paul Lambert and has been allowed to leave. The Ireland move was also important in allowing Stoke to bring in Guidetti, as it freed up one of their allocated quota of loan players.
“Stephen is a talented footballer and has shown what he’s capable of since he joined us,” said Hughes.
“We’re delighted to have made his switch a permanent arrangement as it also gives us the opportunity to bring in another player on loan.”
