Stoke City sign Juan Agudelo but fail to obtain work permit

Stoke City have confirmed the signing of United States international Juan Agudelo but were forced to send him on loan to FC Utrecht after failing to obtain a work permit for the striker.

The striker, who has 17 caps, signed from Major League Soccer side New England Revolution on a free transfer.
But the Premier League club's November bid for a work permit was rejected, and they cannot reapply until March.

They have sent Agudelo, 21, to the Dutch club until a second bid is made.

"We were surprised and bitterly disappointed when our application for a work permit was rejected by the appeals panel - as were many other people in the game," said chief executive Tony Scholes.
"It's still our view that Juan is a great talent and is a player that [manager] Mark Hughes would like to join our squad. We have therefore decided that we are going to reapply for a work permit at the earliest opportunity."
Stoke have already signed a striker in the January transfer window with the acquisition of John Guidetti, 21, on loan from Manchester City for the rest of the season.