Stoke City have signed 13-year-old Ben Markall from Cheltenham Town.

Markall, who can play in midfield or up front, becomes the second Cheltenham academy player to leave Whaddon Road for a Premier League side this year.

Centre of excellence manager Ken Oram told BBC Gloucestershire: "The fee is not as significant up front as it was for Jamie Edge's move to Arsenal.

"If he progresses as we hope the deal could look after Cheltenham for a few years to come."

Markall, who has spent just eight months with Cheltenham, was spotted by Stoke in a schools' final in Walsall.

"This was the first time that we have had an enquiry for a 13-year-old, and we've now got two other offers on the table for boys in our Under-14 team," added Oram.

"I'm keen to retain the locally based players because we want those to go on to the first team, but sometimes you have to look at the cost benefit of a move to the boy and the club."

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