Stoke new-boy Dave Kitson has revealed he turned down offers from two other Premier League clubs to complete a £5.5million switch to the Potters.
Kitson signed a three-year deal with the newly-promoted side on Friday, but it has since emerged there was late interest from two other top-flight clubs to secure the services of the 28-year-old.
Fulham and Wigan were linked with bids for the former Cambridge man earlier this summer, while there was reportedly a last-gasp bid from West Brom to take Kitson to The Hawthorns.
He refused to have his head turned, though, and admits the promise of regular first-team football - and the infectious personality of Tony Pulis - helped make his mind up.
"I had the chance to go and earn a good living elsewhere, but it would be disrespectful to a club like Reading to leave them to go and sit on the bench somewhere else," he told the club's official website.
"I want to play 38 games and I can do that here at Stoke."
The Potters have been backed in some quarters for an instant return to the Championship next season but Kitson believes his new side can follow the example of his old one Reading and defy their critics.
"It's hard," he said, "but as a newly-promoted team what you do have in your locker is the fact you're an unknown quantity and you have to utilise that and play to your strengths.
"We can't get near Man United in terms of spending, but how much do they know about us?
"You can roll over and die, or you can compete, and if I didn't think we could compete I wouldn't be here.
"The manager's enthusiasm is infectious. He wants to do well and wants to bring in more faces."
Pulis has taken his time to complete his first deal of the summer, but he is confident he has made the right one - and at a good price.
"Kitson was important because he is a proven goalscorer," he said in The Sentinel.
"It is very difficult to get those, especially ones who have scored in the Premier League. This is a good deal for the club. In fact, compared to other deals going on at the moment, this is a top deal.
"I know there were other clubs trying to get in on the act behind the scenes, but the agent and the player have stuck to their guns.
"They have stayed with us when there were clubs who were in the Premier League last year who wanted to sign him.
"It was a bit nail-biting at times. Other people got involved and once that happens you get a bit twitchy. But Dave has been true to his word. He agreed on Thursday to come up on Friday and we are delighted."
Pulis is hoping to follow up his first signing with several other big-money captures before the new season and the City boss believes fans will be happy with the start he has made.
"I think the supporters will be pleased. He is a big lad, but has a good touch and awareness, and plays good passes through.
"He is just one of a few players we want to bring in. I know the first one has been a long time coming, but we hope now that quite a few will follow."
Pulis has set Kitson a target of 15-20 goals in his first season at the Britannia Stadium but the player himself is refusing to put any pressure on himself.
"I've never set targets in my life per season. If you try to get one in two, you are on the level, and so far in my career it's there or thereabouts.
"In every league and competition open to me I have scored in and I've scored against two-thirds of professional clubs.
"Goalscoring is something I have and, if you're lucky enough to have it, you revel in it.
"I love being a strker. There's nothing better than putting the ball in the net.
"Aside from the joy in the stands, it gives you an amazing buzz."
