SINGAPORE - Singapore fans will be the first to watch Stoke City's newest signings at the Barclays Asia Trophy tournament, after manager Mark Hughes confirmed that his three latest acquisitions will arrive in Singapore on Sunday morning, three days before they are set to kick-off the competition with a match against Everton.
Chelsea midfielder Marco van Ginkel, who spent the past season on loan with Italian giants AC Milan, has been snapped up on a year-long loan, while experienced shot stopper Shay Given has been signed on a free after the Irish goalkeeper was released by Aston Villa.
On the sidelines of Saturday morning's Premier Skills launch event at the Jalan Besar Stadium, Hughes revealed that Stoke have also completed a deal for former Liverpool right-back Glen Johnson.
"Glen is a very experienced player and we can definitely benefit from that," said Hughes to the gathered media. "As for Van Ginkel, I am delighted to have got him because he has shown, even with Milan last season, that he is a good, young player.
"I've known Shay for some time and he will give (Stoke goalkeeper) Jack (Butland) good competition in the goalkeeping department."
While the trio will now make their way to the Republic,two players that will not be arriving are goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and another reported Stoke target, Xherdan Shaqiri.
Hughes confirmed that Begovic is on the verge of completing a transfer to Chelsea while his side have pulled out of a deal for Inter Milan's diminutive midfielder Shaqiri.
Three other Stoke signings - defender Philipp Wollscheid, goalkeeper Jakob Haugaard and striker Joselu - are already with the first-team squad which arrived in Singapore on Thursday.
