STOKE CITY have today finalised a €5.2 million deal to provide Turkish international Tuncay Sanli with his "dream move" to the German Bundesliga.

The 29-year-old striker signed for the 2008-09 champions Wolfsburg after agreeing personal terms and passing a medical on transfer deadline day.

Manager Tony Pulis insisted that Tuncay's desire to play in Germany and to further his international ambitions as captain of the Turkish national side had been important factors behind that decision to leave City after 17 months at the Britannia Stadium.

"Tunny came to me at the weekend and asked me if the club would help him to achieve his dream," said City's manager following confirmation of the deal. "He has always wanted to play in Germany and has missed out on several occasions in the past.

"So this is a fantastic opportunity for him, and it is a fantastic deal for the Club when you consider what we paid for him when he signed from Middlesbrough.

"I spoke to Tunny a number of times about his hopes and ambitions in his playing career and it was quite apparent that he saw Germany as a great opportunity not only to be much closer to home but also to boost his international prospects as well."

He added: "Despite all the speculation, Tunny has been a smashing lad to have around the place; indeed a credit to both himself and his profession.

"He wanted to move last summer, but the time wasn't right then. Now though, we have brought in John Carew, and Mamady Sidibe is back from injury, so we have plenty of options when you also bear in mind the strikers signed in the last window.

"You want that competition for places, but you can't keep everyone happy.This move suits Tunny's needs and everyone here wishes him well in the future."

Tuncay, who had been lined up to join Wolfsburg in the past, revealed: "On three occasions, moves to Germany have fallen through at the last minute, so I am delighted, but also relieved, that this time I have been able to make the most of this opportunity.

"I would like to thank the Manager and everyone at the Club and, of course, the supporters for making me feel so welcome at Stoke City. I can assure you I would not have joined another English club, but this was too good an opportunity for me to fulfil my dream."

Tuncay joined City in August 2009 when he completed a £5 million transfer from Middlesbrough, the club where his new manager at Wolfsburg, Steve McClaren, had a successful spell in charge before the striker's own arrival at the Riverside from Fenerbahce in the summer of 2007.

In that time at the Britannia Stadium , he started 26 games for the Potters and scored eight goals, but a further 29 appearances came from the substitutes bench.

Tuncay was indeed an unused substitute for City's FA Cup fourth round tie against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday before heading off to Germany for discussions about the move to Wolfsburg immediately after the 1-0 victory at Molineux.