91Èȱ¬

Stoke City have been cleared to complete a deal to bring in United States international defender Geoff Cameron from MLS side Houston Dynamo.

Stoke had lined up the 27-year-old to become one of three summer arrivals at the Britannia Stadium, until being held up by a work permit issue.

But the club won their appeal to obtain a permit at a hearing on Wednesday.

"Geoff's been over here already getting to know everyone and seems a great lad," said assistant boss David Kemp.

"It's been frustrating for him not being able to play in the pre-season games.

"And he's got to go back there next week to play for the USA in a game in Mexico.

"It means more unnecessary travelling and we're still not sure how quickly we can get him playing.

"But he's just keen to get started."

Cameron can also play at full-back or in midfield, but it is at the back where the Potters can best use him right now, following Robert Huth's meningitis scare.

"We are delighted that the appeals panel have approved the work permit and we are now in a position to conclude the transfer," Stoke City chief executive Tony Scholes, who had to attend the appeals panel in Manchester with manager Tony Pulis, told the

"It's been a difficult period between agreeing the transfer deal and the hearing, most difficult for Geoff in particular because his life has been on hold.

"Thankfully though, we have now progressed to a point where Geoff can focus on the start to his career at the Britannia Stadium."

Stoke, who also completed a deal to bring in Wolves winger Michael Kightly on Wednesday, have also signed Rangers midfielder Jamie Ness, but are yet to receive international clearance.