Dean Whitehead has revealed he joined Stoke City Football Club for a fresh challenge.

The 27-year-old ended a five-year stay at Sunderland when he penned a four-year deal with the Potters, who paid an initial £3million to secure his signature.

"Steve Bruce was not too keen on me leaving, but he knew I needed a fresh start and we came to an agreement," Whitehead told the Sunday Sun.

"A lot of the talk about me moving happened before he got to the club. I did speak to him, but that was more about pre-season because my mind was made up and nothing was really going to change that.

"It was a wrench to leave the club because I had five great years there and I was captain for three. But I felt my time had come to an end and I needed a new challenge. That's what I have here at Stoke.''