Confirmed - Sonko to Stoke

[brendywendy]

We have actually only got about 3 days to get someone else in btw. Just in case that fact has slipped the minds of those of you who are sure we're going to get replacements in.

nope, since we dont need a replacement CB its not really a massive issue

but statements in the last week from the club saying we know those who may go, and we are monitoring players who we could get in to replace,
coppell today said they are still looking at one or two.
if sonks goes, no worries, same with doyle....its just if harps goes we will need a CM
maybe anyway-iveseems to think watson is possible- and hes usually not far wrong
also says hunt and armstrong likely to start

[Archies Volley]

Good news I reckon. With Doods, Gunnar and Cissie all injured and Bikey still resting Pearce will start on Saturday (as will Jem in midfield) which is what many people on here have been wanting to see.

[readingbedding]

Is this official?

Can't see anything on the RFC/SCFC Website.

[Gordons Cumming]

Haven't Stoke just bought Andrew Davies from Southampton?

Do they need another central defender?

[readingbedding]

I've just heard it on the Radio.

[Thaumagurist*]

So what shall I do with my "Sonko is Superman" t-shirt?

[TFF]

I've just heard it on the Radio.

RTE?

[Alan Partridge]

So what shall I do with my "Sonko is Superman" t-shirt?

I feel more sorry for the lad I saw on tuesday with the ORange shirt with 'sonko 31' on it!

ALOL

[Wycombe Royal]

Haven't Stoke just bought Andrew Davies from Southampton?

Do they need another central defender?

And they signed Faye from Newcastle.

[readingbedding]

I've just heard it on the Radio.

RTE?

Yeah.

He's up at Stoke, training with the boys, right now, as we speak.

[tee peg]

Lets face it the squad needs a bit of an overhaul and some of the players havent been pulling their
weight.Its time for a change .lets blood some of the younger players.Forget big names coming in,
Jm is pocketing the cash.We all have to adjust to ,what will be, our new home in the championship
for a few years to come.

[Thaumagurist*]

I've just heard it on the Radio.

RTE?

Yeah.

He's up at Stoke, training with the boys, right now, as we speak.

What do the Irish know about it?!?

p.s.

[lozzielizzie]

I won't belive it till it's offical on the site beside he was training with the lads yesterday morning.

[Yorkshire Royal]

The Stoke press are reporting he is already training with Stoke. As I said earleir, done deal...

[Barry the bird boggler]

From This Is Staffordshire

Stoke City: Pulis in Sonko swoop
09:40 - 29-August-2008

by Martin Spinks
TONY Pulis has wrong-footed pundits and opponents alike by lining up a £2m deal for Reading central defender Ibrahima Sonko in time for tomorrow's Premier League clash at Middlesbrough.
Pulis has also tabled an offer for Cardiff left winger Joe Ledley, while an offer is poised for Ipswich striker Jon Walters as transfer activity hots up ahead of Monday's midnight deadline.
And Pulis has waved farewell to son Anthony after a deal of around £100,000 was agreed with Southampton at the start of what could be a mini exodus from the Britannia over the weekend.
Sonko met his new team-mates for the first time this morning after joining them on their coach journey to Leeds for training today ahead of tomorrow's fixture at Middlesbrough.

Pulis has been trailing former skipper Danny Higginbotham all summer, while Liverpool's Finnish international Sami Hyypia was also arousing his interest over the past fortnight.
But he has plumped instead for 27-year-old Sonko to increase his African contingent to six – four of whom were born in Senegal.

Sonko, who made his international debut for Senegal in January's Africa Cup of Nations, moved to France as a baby and began his professional career there with St Etienne and then Grenoble.
The 6ft 3in defender moved to England to sign for Steve Coppell at Brentford in 2002, following his manager to Reading in 2004 ahead of 135 appearances for the Royals in the Championship and the Premier League.

He attracted death threats after being involved in the incident that left Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini needing a neck brace after a game in 2006, while his ability to stand his ground landed him in hot water with Coppell when he was fined and suspended after refusing to play in two reserve games towards the end of last season.

Sonko returned to the fold this season, however, scoring three goals in three appearances and being red-carded towards the end of last weekend's 4-2 defeat at Charlton.

He will become Stoke's seventh signing since promotion – at a cost of more than £13m – and teams up again with former Reading colleague Dave Kitson.

But Stoke's recruitment will not end there if Pulis succeeds with efforts to sign Ledley from Cardiff and Walters from Ipswich.

Pulis has been a long-term admirer of Ledley, who would solve the problem left-midfield slot, but has never had the pulling power to lure the 21-year-old Welsh international from his hometown club before now.

Walters, a 24-year-old who can play wide or in attack, has been in dispute with Ipswich for some time as news of Stoke's interest has hovered over their current player-of-the-year for several weeks.
Sonko's availability at Middlesbrough tomorrow would offer a timely increase in City's defensive options as skipper Andy Griffin could require a late fitness test on a slight knock to his knee.




Nice to see a club determined to have a go at staying in the Premiership....

[Thaumagurist*]

Barry, I think Platypuss has just posted the same article on page 6!!!

[Kes]

The only way is down.

[Thaumagurist*]

The only way is down.

For Chelsea? Sure.

[Barry the bird boggler]

Well so have I on page 9, just to be sure that everyone knows its a done deal and we have a further 2 million in the kitty that we won't use to buy anyone (whether a defender or not).

[Kes]

The only way is down.

For Chelsea? Sure.

You can only go one way when you're top.