Stoke accept Higginbotham bid

Sunderland have had a £2.5million offer accepted for Stoke captain Danny Higginbotham and have been given permission to talk to the 28-year-old.

The deal was announced on the Stoke website with the Coca-Cola Championship club confirming the fee could rise to £3million.

Stoke acted when Higginbotham rejected a contract extension and asked to leave the Britannia Stadium.

A club statement said: "We have rejected two transfer offers from Sunderland since their interest became apparent in the summer.

"It was made clear to Danny that we very much wanted him to stay and he was made two contract offers, the last one being a new four-year contract.

"Danny has now submitted a written transfer request and has stated that he no longer feels he can be committed to the club.

"As a result of this, the club has this morning given the player permission to speak to Sunderland following a receipt of a third offer from Sunderland.

"This offer amounts to a guaranteed £2.5million, along with an additional possible further £500,000 dependant on both Sunderland's and Danny's performance.

"We are hugely disappointed to lose Danny, however, it is difficult to keep a player who no longer wants to play for you."