STOKE CITY have clinched the signing of Republic of Ireland Under-21 star Marc Wilson in a player-plus-cash exchange deal which sees Liam Lawrence and David Kitson move in the opposite direction to Championship club Portsmouth.

The 23-year-old utility player, who can operate in midfield or the centre of defence, has signed a four year contract with the Potters after agreeing personal terms when he arrived at the Britannia Stadium for talks on transfer deadline day.

Wilson had attracted a considerable amount of interest from Premier League clubs in the current transfer window following his emergence at Portsmouth last season, but City have won the race to secure the signature of the highly-rated player.

In announcing the transfer, manager Tony Pulis said: "I wanted to freshen the squad up with some young players, and Marc certainly fits that criteria.

"He showed great maturity last season in what was a very difficult time for Portsmouth, so he will give us more competition for midfield places.

"Like Jon Walters, he can operate in a couple of positions and that provides us with different options which we will need over the course of the season."

He added: "The deal has enabled Lawrence and Kitson to move on, giving them a fresh start in their careers and the chance of regular first team football.

"We would like to thank them for their contribution and wish them all the best. Liam, in particular, has been a great servant of this Club and he has played a major part in the success that we have achieved over the past three seasons."

After completing his move to the Britannia Stadium, Wilson said: "This is a great club which is on the up and so this is a positive move for me.

"I had a taste of playing in the Premier League last season, it's the best League in the world and I wanted to get back there as soon as possible.

"I spoke to Mark O'Connor when I knew Stoke were interested in me because he was responsible for bringing me through as a youngster at Portsmouth. He's a great guy and he has certainly been a big influence upon me choosing to come here."

Like City defender Ryan Shawcross, Wilson began his career in the Manchester United youth set-up but moved to Portsmouth in 2004.

The early part of his Fratton Park career saw him have loan spells with Yeovil Town, Bournemouth and Luton Town to gain valuable Football League experience before he became established in Pompey's first team last season.

Although he can play as a central defender, it is as a midfield player that he caught the eye in a season on contrasting fortunes for Portsmouth which saw them relegated from the Premier League but reach the FA Cup Final.

Wilson missed out on playing in the Wembley final due to injury, but he was subsequently handed the consolation of being named the youngest captain in Pompey's history by Steve Cotterill ahead of the start of this season.

The departures of Kitson and Lawrence to Fratton Park are a boost to Pompey boss Cotterill as he rebuilds the Championship club's squad.

The pair are reunited with some familiar faces, Ibrahima Sonko and Carl Dickinson, on the south coast following their season-long loan moves there.