Olofinjana to make Hull switch

Stoke midfielder Seyi Olofinjana is on the verge of a £3m move to Barclays Premier League rivals Hull.

The 29-year-old Nigerian had previously spoken to French side Monaco but preferred to stay in England, and after the Potters accepted a similar bid from the Tigers he is now in talks about signing a three-year contract at the KC Stadium.

"He goes to Hull with our very best wishes," said Stoke manager Tony Pulis.

"Although we will be giving him to another club that will be fighting for their lives again, I don't think you can cut across the career and livelihood of a good professional such as Seyi.

"If it's a good move for the kid, then you have to be fair and honest to them. Especially if they have been really good in their time with the club and not been any problem whatsoever.

"Seyi really is one of the nicest players I've come across in football, a real gentleman, so he goes with our best wishes."

Olofinjana slipped down the pecking order at the Britannia Stadium last season as, after starting the first 13 league matches, he made just one more in the rest of the campaign.

That persuaded him to look for another club and he has been fortunate to find another team in the top flight.

"He's desperate to be in the team and play and I fully respect that kind of desire and ambition," Pulis told the Stoke Sentinel.

"But there's no way I can guarantee him a regular place with the size of squad we have got nowadays.

"We both understand each other's situation and that's why there is plenty of good feeling on both sides with this one."