MANAGERLESS Stoke City have strengthened their defence with the signing of right-back Moritz Bauer.
The 25-year-old joins from Rubin Kazan on a four-and-a-half year-deal for an undisclosed fee.
He becomes the club’s first signing in the January transfer window as they brace themselves for a relegation dogfight.
Bauer underwent his medical at the club’s Clayton Wood training complex last week and finally completed the formalities of his switch.
Club chief executive Tony Scholes told the club’s official site: “Moritz is a player we have been trailing for some time and was someone Mark Hughes wanted to bring into the Club.
“Moritz came over to England last week to undergo his medical and discuss terms and we have now been able to conclude his transfer.
“He’s a very highly-regarded player who broke into the Austrian senior side last year and he adds to the defensive resources at our disposal.”
Stoke moved quickly to address their right-back problems which has seen striker Mame Biram Diouf fill the void.
Youngster Tom Edwards also made his first professional appearance at right-back in City’s 7-2 defeat at Manchester City in October.
But the Potters wanted a natural full-back with experience for the second half of the campaign.
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He was crowned Rubin Kazan’s Player of the Year in 2017 and recently broke into the Austrian squad for their 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
Stoke will now look to appoint a new manager by Thursday with Gary Rowett and Martin O’Neill both in the running.
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