SAM Surridge is set to leave Cherries to join Championship rivals Stoke City on a permanent deal, the Daily Echo understands.

The Ferndown-raised forward came through the youth ranks at Cherries and has gone on to make 42 appearances for the first team, scoring seven goals.

The Daily Echo understands Cherries are set to receive around £5.5million from Stoke for the 23-year-old.

Surridge, who featured in every pre-season game under new boss Scott Parker, wearing the captain's armband on more than one occasion, missed Saturday's 5-0 Carabao Cup win over Milton Keynes Dons due to what was described as a "little knock".

It is understood Surridge was indeed nursing the minor injury, with this move to Stoke accelerating rapidly over the past couple of days.

The former England under-21 international has pushed for the move as he was not keen to spend another season playing second fiddle to first-choice frontman Dominic Solanke.

Since breaking into the Cherries first team, Surridge has spent time out on loan at Poole Town, Yeovil Town, Oldham Athletic and Swansea City.

The Slough-born forward is understood to now be in Stoke finalising the switch.