Stoke City agree deal to sign Ben Gibson from Norwich – sources

Stoke City have agreed a deal to sign defender Ben Gibson on a free transfer following his Norwich City exit, sources have told Football Insider.

Gibson, 31, has been made available as a free agent since the Canaries announced he would be leaving when his deal expires at the end of this month.

He will become Stoke’s second signing of the summer after goalkeeper Viktor Johansson arrived from Rotherham on a three-year deal.

The former Middlesbrough and Burnley centre-back joined Norwich on a three-year deal in 2021 following a successful loan move, but was allowed to depart when his deal expired.

Stoke City agree to sign Ben Gibson after Norwich exit

Gibson spent four years at Norwich including his loan spell, where he made 124 appearances for the club, helping them gain promotion to the Premier League in his first season.

That was his second successful promotion campaign having also been promoted with Middlesbrough.

More recently, he played 40 games across all competitions, helping fire the Canaries into the playoffs before they were defeated 4-0 by Leeds United in the semi-final.

Stoke allowed Ciaran Clarke to leave the club after making just three appearances in the last season, while Tom Edwards was also released, leaving space for a new arrival in defence.

Gibson’s availability on a free transfer to bring his experience to the team put clubs on alert, with Stoke now winning the race for his signature.

The Potters finished 17th last time out and conceded 60 goals in their 46 league games, something Steven Schumacher is keen to build and improve upon this summer.