The middle men: Stoke City sign Steven Nzonzi and Charlie Adam

STOKE City signed Blackburn midfielder Steven Nzonzi minutes before last night's 11pm transfer deadline.

The 23-year-old Frenchman has signed on a four-year contract for an initial fee of £3.5m which could eventually rise to £5m.

Stoke's pursuit of Nzonzi had simmered throughout the final day of trading before a typically dramatic 11th-hour bid to add him to fellow deadline-day newcomer Charlie Adam.

But a move to loan Aston Villa's veteran defender Richard Dunne was put on the back-burner.

Nzonzi's arrival at the Britannia Stadium will come after his last appearance there ended with a retrospective three-match ban for violent conduct after an off-the-ball elbow on City skipper Ryan Shawcross last November.

But boss Tony Pulis has long been keen to add Nzonzi's combative qualities to Adam's greater footballing prowess in an intriguing midfield partnership.

Pulis said: "Steven is an outstanding young prospect.

"He has made a big impact in the Premier League since he arrived at Blackburn three years ago and I am sure he will prove to be an excellent addition to our squad.

"He is the type of player who will endear himself to our supporters."

Nzonzi, who began his career with Amiens before joining Blackburn in the summer of 2009, thanked City for the chance to embark on "a new challenge".

"There is strong competition for places here at Stoke, but that is part of the game and that can only help to make me an even better player," he told City's official website last night.

Pulis had also been courting Marseilles defender-cum-midfielder Stephane M'bia, but the 26-year-old Cameroon international joined QPR instead.

Stoke remain interested in former England striker Michael Owen, but as a free agent he can sign at any time until 5pm on Tuesday, the deadline for squad lists to be submitted to the Premier League.

Adam penned a four-year contract after Stoke agreed a £4m fee with Liverpool.

He signed in time to feature in today's game at Wigan (3pm) and Pulis will make a late decision on whether to start with the 26 year-old Scot.

"I'm delighted to get Charlie," he said. "He's a player we have admired from his Blackpool days. He's a player we wanted then, but we didn't get near to the £9m he went to Liverpool for. To get him for £4m, and only £2m up front, is a great deal."

Pulis acknowledged that Adam's craft and creativity would provide a different dimension to his traditionally workmanlike midfield.

"He's the type of player that you have other players fitting in around," he continued.

"The big thing with Charlie is he produces. Some players might produce something really good now and then, but Charlie can open the door or score a goal in every game.

"We have done brilliantly at times getting into the final third, but then not been able to finish it off.

"Charlie will also be good for Peter Crouch because Crouchy can thrive off good service."

Stoke chairman Peter Coates believes Adam could prove a ground-breaking signing.

"We have always been evolving, but I think this signing will do something different," he explained.

"Obviously Tony is the man to decide how we play him, but it will be an interesting development and it will be good to see how it works out.

"He is certainly a crowd pleaser because he is a fine player with a lot of skill. He is an exciting player for us."

Wolves remain interested in City midfielder Glenn Whelan, and can still make a move for the Republic of Ireland international because they are no longer in the Premier League.