Higginbotham made 45 league starts for Stoke in his first spell with the club

Danny Higginbotham says he is pleased to once again be a Stoke City player following his move from Sunderland.

The 29-year-old defender has signed a three-year deal with the Potters just 12 months after leaving the Britannia Stadium for the Black Cats.

He told BBC Radio Stoke: "Obviously I know what the club is all about and I'm glad to be back.

"I'm thankful to have the opportunity to come back to Stoke and hopefully I can carry on where I left off."

Higginbotham, who started his career with Manchester United, has joined the Potters for a fee believed to be around �2m after making 25 appearances for Sunderland.

"It was a hard decision to leave Stoke in the first place because I really enjoyed my time here," said Higginbotham.

"But when Sunderland came in it was an opportunity to go and play in the Premier League and that would have been very difficult to turn down."

Higginbotham was part of the Sunderland side that managed to survive in the Premier League last season and he says he hopes that experience can benefit the Potters as look to maintain their top flight status.

"I think the club is moving in the right direction so hopefully we can give a good account of ourselves this season and do the job that's required," he said.

Higginbotham also drew comparisons between Stoke manager Tony Pulis and Sunderland boss Roy Keane, two men who have had their differences over the summer.

"They both accept nothing less than 100%," said Higginbotham. "They are both winners and they try and install that into the team.

"Roy is the sort of character that we he spoke you would listen.

"He's a very good manager and that has been shown by the results he has got and the players he has been able to attract to Sunderland."