Stoke have finally announced the signing of Wilson Palacios, after concluding the £8m deal for the defensive hitman.
Palacios, 27, becomes the clubs equal record signing, for an hour or so at least, and the Honduran international represents the potential start of a glut of late signings as the deadline looms.
The Potters are also closing on the signatures of Peter Crouch, who is having a medical ahead of a £10m move, and Birmingham frontman Cameron Jerome, who has completed his medical and is on the verge of a £4m move.