Shea completes move to Stoke

(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

STOKE, England (AP) Stoke has finalized the signing of Brek Shea after securing a work permit and international clearance for the United States winger, hours before the January transfer window closed.

The 22-year-old Shea has signed a four-and-half-year contract and moves from Major League Soccer's FC Dallas for 2.5 million pounds ($4 million).

Stoke manager Tony Pulis says Thursday "it's fantastic news that we have been able to push through the deal. Brek is a very, very exciting player."

Shea has played for Dallas since 2008 and is recovering from surgery in November on his right foot. He has yet to score after 15 appearances for the U.S. national team.

He joins American defender Geoff Cameron at Stoke.

Updated January 31, 2013