Wednesday 30 August 2017 22:41, UK
Stoke defender Philipp Wollscheid has signed for Metz on a three-year deal, the French club have announced.
The 28-year-old German had only one year left on his Stoke deal and made just one appearance this season for Mark Hughes' side in their 4-0 win over Rochdale in the EFL Cup.
Sky Sports News reported earlier on Wednesday that Wollscheid was in France discussing a season-long loan.
However, the Ligue 1 side suggested to Stoke the deal be made permanent, taking over responsibility to pay all of his wages as part of the new deal and the Premier League club agreed.
He joined Stoke from Mainz in January 2015, initially on loan but doing enough to earn a permanent move to the Potters that summer.
He made a total of 56 appearances for the club but has fallen down the pecking order, spending part of last season on loan at Wolfsburg.
The Potters' recruitment this summer of Kevin Wimmer, Bruno Martins Indi and Kurt Zouma confirmed his time in Mark Hughes' squad was over.
No fee has been announced for his move to Metz but the French club revealed he had agreed a contract until 2020.
"A reinforcement of substance for Les Grenats who will bring his experience of the highest level, he is known for positioning and his strength," the club said.
"The neo-Messin also has the advantage of perfectly mastering the language of Moliere which should aid his integration."
Wollscheid signed for Stoke from Bayer Leverkusen in May 2015 for £2.5m after an initial four-month loan.
