LET'S hope Eidur Gudjohnsen can trick Premier League defences as easily as he tricked Stoke supporters at the Britannia Stadium yesterday, writes Martin Spinks.

Stoke's Hollywood signing was all smoke and mirrors as he led fans a merry dance after more than 200 gathered to applaud him into the club.

He caused a veritable stampede when he first arrived in mid-afternoon behind the blacked out windows of a people carrier.

Dozens of children, housewives, holidaying dads and even the odd reporter gave chase to the main entrance – only to be told the vehicle was carrying nothing more important than the manager's overdue delivery of baseball caps.

So they returned 60 yards towards the club shop, only to bolt back towards the main entrance when it was discovered that the 31-year-old Iceland international was indeed in the vehicle.

A vehicle which then U-turned towards where the fans had been standing originally, prompting a fourth keystone cops chase.

Gudjohnsen eventually met the fans, or at least the dozen or so diehards remaining until nearly 8pm, when being driven back out of the ground, the deal on a season-long loan signed and sealed.

He graciously asked his driver to stop at the gates, not least because one lady looked prepared to throw herself over his bonnet, and he wound down his window to sign one autograph and smile for one photo.

"Of course I am happy to be here," he said, "that is why I am signing."

A man of few words, but rich deeds, we hope.

Gudjohnsen's was but one name doing the rounds as the rumour mill spun so vigorously it threatened to catch fire amid all the alleged comings and goings yesterday afternoon.

In the end, there were just the two previously publicised outgoings as Liam Lawrence, pictured, after much dithering apparently, and Dave Kitson kept their side of the bargain by joining Portsmouth in return for midfielder Marc Wilson.

The entire deal is valued at around £4.5 million as Pompey receive just over £1 million, while Lawrence and Kitson were valued at £3.5 million collectively.

In return, Stoke get Wilson, Portsmouth's 23-year-old midfielder-cum-defender, and an Irish youth international seeking graduation to the senior ranks alongside Lawrence, among others.

"He's a young age and comes with great flexibility," said Pulis, "because he can play full-back, centre-half or midfield. He's a good passer, a very elegant player and we're hoping his best years are ahead of him.

"It's important to bring in good, young professionals and when you look at the spine of our team, you see players like Marc, Asmir Begovic and Ryan Shawcross."

Pulis insisted he wasn't desperate to shove Lawrence to Portsmouth as the deal would have still gone through anyway, with Stoke throwing in more cash than the figure of just over £1 million.

"Liam's been one of my favourites and one of my best-ever signings," he stressed.

"We weren't too keen on him moving because he's still got a bit left in the tank for us, but it was his decision. We would have still done the Wilson deal anyway."

Kitson, meanwhile, was diplomatic with his parting shots towards Stoke after being unveiled by Portsmouth.

Stoke's one-time record £5.5 million signing, who endured a well-publicised fall out with Pulis, insisted: "I parted on good terms.

"Sometimes things don't work out for players and there are three or four of those at every club. It's difficult to put your finger on why that is.

"I haven't got a problem with anybody at Stoke. I have some good friends up there and it was a privilege to play with some great players like Tuncay and Glenn Whelan."

A compliment they would doubtless return.