ASMIR Begovic has been hailed as 'potentially the best young goalkeeper in the country' by his new manager.

ASMIR Begovic has been hailed as 'potentially the best young goalkeeper in the country' by his new manager.

The 22-year-old Bosnia international - who spent a successful six game spell at Ipswich earlier this season - moved from Portsmouth to Stoke on transfer deadline day for �3.25m.

“We have been tracking Asmir for some time and we believe that potentially he is the best young keeper in the country,” said Stoke boss Tony Pulis.

Begovic, who will compete with Denmark international Thomas Sorensen for a place in Stoke's starting XI, says he is delighted to have secured the move.

“It has been an eventful time for me, one way or another, but I am delighted to be joining Stoke because it is a club moving forward,” he said.

“I was aware of interest from one or two clubs, but once I found out that Stoke wanted to sign me, I was convinced that it was the right move for me.

“My time at Portsmouth has been great for my development, but this is an exciting new challenge for me to push on in my career.”

Pulis added: "It was important we brought in another goalkeeper because we were a bit exposed in that department. Most clubs in the Premier League have three experienced keepers, but we had managed with just the two for a long time.

"Now Asmir's arrival will provide the extra cover we need and it will also create good competition for places."