"There's been interest from Stoke for a while," Laurent told the club website.

"As soon as it became clear I was going to become a free agent they called to let me know just how interested they were. The manager went down to London to talk to me and that meant a lot."

Stoke boss Michael O'Neill's pursuit of the former QPR, Brentford, Newport County, Hartlepool United, Wigan Athletic and Shrewsbury Town man follows the captures of defenders Aden Flint and Harry Clarke.

"Josh has made a tremendous impact in the Championship over the past couple of years," said O'Neill. "He fits the profile of player we are looking for."