Stoke complete £1.3m deal for goalkeeper Grant

Matt Stead

Stoke have completed the signing of goalkeeper Lee Grant from Derby in a £1.3million deal.

Grant has agreed a two-and-a-half year deal with the Potters following a four-month loan spell in which he made 16 first team appearances.

The 33-year-old seized his chance at Stoke after an ankle injury suffered by Jack Butland on England duty in March led boss Mark Hughes to seek a stand-in.

Hughes revealed this week that the 23-year-old Butland is expected to miss the rest of the season as he continues to recover from the injury.

Grant, who came through Derby’s youth systems, had found his first team chances restricted at Pride Park following the arrival of Scott Carson.

Stoke chief executive Tony Scholes said: “Lee found himself with an opportunity to make an impression in the Premier League and to suggest he has grabbed that chance with both hands would be an understatement.

“He has shown outstanding form on a consistent basis and we’re delighted to have reached an agreement with Derby to make his transfer permanent.”