Cisse provides fresh goal option

STOKE City are bringing in Lamine Cisse from French club Bastia.

- Joe Chapman

The 22-year-old forward has agreed a four-year contract at the bet365 Stadium.

The former France youth international joined Bastia from Nancy as a free agent a year ago and scored nine goals and set up another five in Ligue 2 last season.

Stoke boss Mark Robins has brought in eight new signings so far, including Sorba Thomas, Divin Mubama and Robert Bozenik in a revamped forward line, plus attacking midfielder Jamie Donley.

Meanwhile, Jon Walters is of the opinion that all levels of Stoke City are slowly becoming aligned after years of Championship malaise.

The club have worked hard so far in this transfer window and the campaign has begun with a victory on the opening day as well as progress in the Carabao Cup.

The Potters are into their eighth successive year back in the Championship having spent a decade in the Premier League before that, and they're yet to post even a top-half finish, let alone trouble the playoff places.