Indian-origin defender Danny Batth signs for Stoke City

The centre-back had previously expressed his desire to play for the Blue Tigers.

After a string of several loan moves away from Wolverhampton Wanderers, 28-year-old centre-back Danny Batth has sealed a permanent move to Championship side Stoke City. Spending the first half of the season at Middlesbrough, Batth had appeared 13 times under Tony Pulis.

At Stoke, the former Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United player is understood to be new manager Nathan Jones’ first signing since joining the club. Sources from Sky Sports have suggested that Wolves agreed for an initial transfer fee of around £3 million which could eventually rise up to another £1 million, subject to the players’ future performances. Before signing for the Potters, Batth was also linked with current Championship leaders Leeds United, however serious negotiations never took place and the move was ultimately sealed by Stoke.

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An interesting fact about the 28-year-old is that he is of an Indian descent having a Sikh Punjabi father. If that wasn’t everything, back in 2017, Danny even expressed a strong desire to play for the Indian national team. Unfortunately, the regulatory norms played against his wish as to acquire an Indian passport, it is necessary for him to stay in the country at least for a couple of years and moreover he is also required to be a resident of the country for the same number of years if he is to play for the national team. Thus, stringent kept blocking his way and his dream to become a Blue Tiger never actually came true.

Nevertheless, the now Potters centre half has the opportunity to ply his trade in the Premier League, given that his new club is in contention for the playoffs this season. Having previously won the Championship title with the Wolves, Batth will be looking to help the Potters return to the Premiership after just one season. However, that also means that the player’s association with his boyhood club, Wolves, has come to an abrupt end after representing them for 18 years.