Stoke City signed Scotland defender Phil Bardsley from Sunderland on a free transfer on Thursday.

Bardsley, 28, will officially join Mark Hughes' team on July 1 following the expiration of his contract at Sunderland, where he has spent the last six and a half years.

The Black Cats had hoped to extend Bardsley's stay at the Stadium of Light, but contract talks with the right-back stalled, paving the way for Stoke to make their move.

Bardsley joined Sunderland from Manchester United for £2 million ($3.4m, 2.5m euros) in January 2008 after loan spells at Royal Antwerp, Burnley, Rangers, Aston Villa and Sheffield United.

"Stoke are delighted to announce that defender Phil Bardsley has agreed a three-year deal with the club," a statement on Stoke's website confirmed.