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          Shay Given signs Stoke deal as club also add Marco van Ginkel on loan

          • PA Sport
          Jul 10, 2015, 01:20 PM ET

          Stoke's summer recruitment continues apace after the club confirmed the signing of former Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given.

          The announcement of the Republic of Ireland international's arrival on a two-year deal came less than an hour after the Potters secured Chelsea midfielder Marco van Ginkel on a season-long loan.

          Given fills the gap left by veteran Thomas Sorensen's departure at the end of the previous campaign, but, with first-choice Asmir Begovic seemingly on his way out of the Britannia Stadium, with Chelsea stepping up their interest, the 39-year-old will provide competition for England Under-21 international Jack Butland.

          Earlier on Friday, sources told ESPN FC that Chelsea offered Van Ginkel to Stoke as part of the deal to sell Begovic, whom the Blues have targeted to replace Petr Cech following the Czech international's move to Arsenal.

          Jose Mourinho is keen to bring in a quality experienced goalkeeper as back-up to Thibaut Courtois and former Portsmouth keeper Begovic, who joined Stoke in 2010, fits the bill.

          Stoke were very busy on Friday, with Sky Sports also reporting that former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson was having a medial at the club.

          Meanwhile, the Telegraph reported that the club pulled out of an offer of £12 million for Swiss winger Xherdan Shaqiri

          Given joined Stoke after being released from the final year of his deal with Villa.

          "I know Shay particularly well from our time together at Manchester City and I'm really looking forward to working with him again," said manager Mark Hughes.

          "He will not only be a great asset on the pitch as an outstanding goalkeeper but he's also a fantastic character to have in the dressing room and around the club -- a true professional."

          Chief executive Tony Scholes added: "Few players can match Shay for the longevity of his career, but having finished last season as Villa's first-choice goalkeeper it's clear he still has so much to offer."

          As well as investing in experience, the Potters have also brought in potential in the form of Van Ginkel, the 22-year-old who spent last season on loan at AC Milan.

          The Netherlands international, who was the club's fourth signing of the summer following that of defender Philipp Wollscheid, goalkeeper Jakob Haugaard and striker Joselu, will join up with his new teammates in Singapore ahead of their appearance alongside Premier League rivals Arsenal and Everton in next week's Barclays Asia Trophy.

          "Marco is the kind of player we have been looking to bring to the club," said Hughes. "He will bring great energy to the side and is capable of scoring goals from midfield, as he showed during his time with Vitesse.

          "I'm looking forward to him linking up with the squad in Singapore and getting the chance to work with him on the training ground and see him in action in the Barclays Asia Trophy."