STOKE CITY pulled off a major transfer coup by signing Icelandic international Eidur Gudjohnsen on a one-year contract shortly before the transfer deadline.
The signing of the 31-year-old former Chelsea and Barcelona star was sealed on a busy deadline day when he flew into England for talks with City after an agreement had been reached with Monaco to mark his return to the Barclays Premier League.
Gudjohnsen has welcomed the chance to return to the English game where he had successful spells with Bolton Wanderers and Chelsea, as well as a loan spell at Tottenham last season when he made a big contribution to their win at the Britannia Stadium.
"This is a fantastic signing for the Football Club because Eidur is a player of outstanding international calibre who has performed at the highest level," exclaimed Pulis after City had tempted the striker into making the move back to English football.
"There is no better example of the quality he provides than his contribution to Tottenham's win here in April. Not only did he score an excellent goal, he showed what a great footballing brain he has and his sense of awareness with a key role in their winner.
"Eidur made a significant contribution to Spurs qualifying for the Champions League and I am confident he can have a big impact upon our season.
"He certainly brings more goals to the squad, following the arrivals of Kenwyne Jones and Jon Walters, which was an important aim in this transfer window and I am delighted we have brought these three players in, together with Marc Wilson."
Gudjohnsen commented: "I am delighted to be here, it is a new challenge, indeed a big challenge, but one I am really looking forward too.
"After speaking to the gaffer and hearing his and the club's ambitions, he really swayed my mind, and I am delighted the deal is done.
"I can't wait to step on to the pitch, the fans are fantastic here and I always remember the atmosphere from when I have played here before.
"I scored here not so long ago for Tottenham, so maybe I owe the supporters something. Hopefully I can reward them with some goals."
He added: "I am an ambitious player, but this is an ambitious football club. I want to help take the club on to the next level. That is my main objective."
Gudjohnsen's career took off when he moved to England in 1998 by signing for Bolton Wanderers after he had impressed on a summer tour of Ireland.
His success there led to a £4 million move to Chelsea two years later where he formed a formidable striker partnership with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
After scoring 54 goals in 182 appearances, he moved to Spanish giants Barcelona in 2006 as a replacement for Henrik Larsson and while he enjoyed considerable success at the Nou Camp, including being part of the 2009 UEFA Champions League triumph over Manchester United before his move to Monaco.
Gudjohnsen is also Iceland's record goalscorer with 24 goals in 61 appearances for his country since making his debut in 1996.
