Stoke City given Maurice Edu work permit boost

Stoke City are poised to sign Maurice Edu from Rangers after being given permission to apply for the midfielder's work permit to play in the Premier League.

The USA international agreed to join the Potters on a three-year contract last weekend and has also passed his medical.

However, Edu has yet to officially sign his contract with Stoke because of the lack of work permit, but the Football Association has now given its approval for a work permit application.

Edu, who joined Rangers from Toronto FC in 2008, will become Stoke's fourth signing of the summer after Geoff Cameron, Jamie Ness and Michael Kightly.