Fresh from putting pen to paper on a club record £5,500,000 switch from Reading, new striker Dave Kitson immediately set his sights on helping the Potters retain their status as a Premier League club.

The 28-year old hit-man who boasts an impressive goal-scoring record admitted he was delighted to seal the move, and admits once he saw the club he immediately knew where he wanted to be.

"I'm delighted to be here and I am very excited about the challenge," he told stokecityfc.com.

"I am 28 and I need to be in the Premier League. I have worked hard to get here with both Cambridge and Reading, so when the opportunity arose I wanted to get the deal done.

"I came down had a look around the club and I knew this was where I wanted to be."

Boss Tony Pulis has been a long time admirer of the former Cambridge star, and he says the City manager played a big role in his decision to sign.

"His enthusiasm was infectious to be honest with you."

"He is a larger than life character and is desperate for you do well, and he is willing to give as much help as he can to help you improve.

"I just warmed to him straight away. He is an honest bloke and seems to be a great lad, and that made it an easy decision to come here."

The highly rated striker, who has been mooted as a possible England international, also revealed he holds City's supporters in high regard.

He says: "I know the Stoke supporters are footballing people. I have played here a few times and it was always an intimidating place to come.

"The fans are fantastic and I know the area has been starved of top flight football recently, but we are there now and we want to make sure we stay there.

"I want to be playing top flight football and If I didn't believe Stoke could stay up I wouldn't have come here."

Kitson laughed off suggestions he could be feeling added pressure due to the fee, saying: "No, not really, I didn't pay the money.

"Seriously though it won't put any extra pressure on me. I know what I am capable of and I can't wait for the season to begin."