FOMER Ipswich Town loan signing Amir Begovic has joined Stoke City in a �3.25million deal from Portsmouth .

FOMER Ipswich Town loan signing Amir Begovic has joined Stoke City in a �3.25million deal from Portsmouth .

The 22-year-old Bosnia international goalkeeper signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with the Potters shortly before the transfer window closed.

"Asmir is someone we have been tracking for some time and we believe that potentially he is the best young keeper in the country," said Stoke manager Tony Pulis.

Begovic has a highly successful loan spell at Portman Road, conceding only four goals in six games before he was recalled to Fratton Park in November after Portsmouth number one David James was injured while warming up for a Premier League match.

A fortnight ago Pulis twice tried to sign James on loan from the cash-strapped south-coast club.

However, the deal broke down after an issue over the player's wages.