Carew joins Stoke

Aston Villa striker John Carew has joined Stoke City on loan for the rest of the season.
The Norway international had medicals at both Stoke and West Bromwich Albion but has opted to join the Potters.Carew, 31, is out of contract at the end of the season at Villa, who have signed Darren Bent from Sunderland.He looks set to replace Jamaican Ricardo Fuller in Stoke's squad after they accepted a £3m bid from Sunderland for the player."If I'm happy and the club is happy, if I enjoy it and it goes well enough, then we can decide that in the summer," said Carew on the prospect of making his switch permanent.
"The important thing now is to make the most of this opportunity. I'm looking forward to the challenge and I am happy to be here."Although I had other offers, I saw Stoke as the best team and the strongest team, so this is a great chance for me to join a side fighting in the top half of the table.
"[Manager] Tony Pulis has shown great confidence in getting me here so I want to repay that faith.
"He's a great manager who created a big impression with me, so I am delighted I have been given this opportunity to work with him."The club finalised Carew's paperwork on Friday in time for him to be included in the squad for Saturday's Premier League trip to Fulham.
"This is a fantastic signing," Pulis told Stoke's website. "John's record speaks for itself because he has scored goals at the highest level throughout his career.
"As well as the experience he has gained at international level he has played for some top clubs across Europe and performed in the Champions League for many seasons, including an appearance in the final for Valencia.
"On top of that, he was Aston Villa's leading scorer last season with 17 goals, so we have acquired a striker with an outstanding pedigree."
Stoke chairman Peter Coates told BBC Sport: "He [Carew] has got a good record and could be very valuable to us between now and the end of the season.
"We'll have a good chance to get a look at him and he'll have a good chance to get to know us. It's a good opportunity and it's nice that someone like him wants to come to the club."