Sunderland defender Collins has won six caps for Wales

Stoke have completed the signing of defender Danny Collins from Premier League rivals Sunderland for £2.75m.

Collins, 29, had captained the Black Cats in their first two Premier League matches of the season.

The Wales defender, who has won six international caps, joins new signings Robert Huth, Dean Whitehead, Tuncay and Diego Arismendi at Stoke.

"One of the great things about this move is that I will have some familiar faces around me," said Collins.

"There are so many ex-Sunderland players here.

606: DEBATE Danny Collins is outstanding. He will give 110% every game and is also very consistent U14098899

"All this happened so quickly because only a few weeks ago I was captaining Sunderland in their pre-season friendlies, but manager Steve Bruce made it clear that he was going to bring in new faces and he couldn't guarantee me a place."

The signing of Collins takes Stoke's spending to about £18.5m during the summer transfer window.

Collins began his football league career at Chester City and moved to Sunderland for £140,000 in October 2004.

"Danny has been Sunderland's player of the year for the past two seasons, which speaks volumes for the impact he had at this level," said Stoke manager Tony Pulis.

"He can play at left-back or centre-back, which gives us further options along the back four."

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