Stoke have signed former Coventry full-back Marcus Hall on a free transfer from Southampton.

Hall joined Southampton at the start of the season ostensibly as cover for England defender Wayne Bridge.

Bridge's form and the consistency that has not seen him miss a Premiership in two seasons, proved a block to Hall's first team ambitions.

I gave him my word and I could not go back on it so he has gone Southampton manager Gordon Strachan

When Saints boss Gordon Strachan signed Hall on a short-term contract he told the 26-year-old he would be allowed to leave if he found a club nearer his Midlands home.

Strachan said: "I felt we needed cover in that position last summer - and we still do.

"Marcus was ideal because of his experience and his ability and he needed a club.

"But he has three children and another on the way and he could not afford to move down here on a short-term contract.

"We gave him a steady deal but I said if he felt it was hard work travelling up and down and he could get something closer to home then I would promise to look into it.

"I gave him my word and I could not go back on it so he has gone on a permanent free transfer.

"I will look to see if we need more cover," Strachan told Southampton's official website.