Burnley sign Cort from Stoke

(GETTY IMAGES)

Burnley have confirmed they have signed Stoke defender Leon Cort for £1.5m.

Stoke say the deal could rise to £2m for the 30-year-old, who has put pen to paper on a three-and-a-half-year deal at Turf Moor.

It is manager Brian Laws' second signing of the day following the arrival of former Manchester City goalkeeper Nicky Weaver.

Cort was Stoke's record signing at £1.2m when he arrived at the Britannia Stadium from Crystal Palace two years ago.

He played a key part in the club's promotion to the Premier League in the 2007-08 season.

However, he has found his first team opportunities limited since then due to the form of Ryan Shawcross and Abdoulaye Faye, not to mention summer signing Robert Huth.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis said: "Leon was an influential figure in the club's promotion triumph and a dependable performer whenever called upon in our first season in the Premier League.

"We would like to thank him for his contribution to that success and wish him all the best in the future with his new club."