Stoke have made their first signing of the season by beating off stiff competition to land the highly rated Belgium U18 Defensive Midfielder Florent Cuvelier.

I’m not going to pretend I know anything about this lad but the reports I have read so far indicate that he is very well thought of, and the fact Man City, Fulham and Spurs were all chasing him only bodes well for his reputation and stature at Academy level.

It seems his father had withdrawn his son from Pompey’s Academy and despite him having 2yrs left on his deal there, Portsmouth have agreed to his release, no figures have been banded around so I assume there is no fee

What does seem strange though is that his agent indicates he has aspirations of first team football for this season and Pulis in his interview says that he will be working with the Academy. I can’t see him being involved with the first team personally, but you never know, he may impress Pulis enough to give him an early debut. Despite what many say about TP not giving youth a chance, it was he that handed a league debut to a 16yr old Gary O’Neill, ironically for Pompey!

Welcome to the Britannia Florent and congratulations on being the first signing of the Summer!!