BEN Pearson has joined Championship club Stoke City on loan until the end of the season.

The midfielder’s game time has been limited at the Vitality Stadium this campaign, the 28-year-old making seven appearances in the Premier League.

He joins a Potters side mired in the lower reaches of the second tier, with Stoke 18th and seven points clear of the relegation spots.

Since arriving from Preston in January 2021, Pearson has made 55 appearances for Cherries.

The move sees the combative midfielder link up once again with Alex Neil, the pair previously working together at Preston North End.

Months after taking the Stoke City job, Neil commented on how he would like a player in a similar vein to Pearson.

Earlier on deadline day, Cherries recalled midfielder Gavin Kilkenny from the Potteries, following a lack of game time.

The Republic of Ireland youth international has subsequently joined League One outfit Charlton on loan.

With new incomings this window, Cherries had to move players out in order to satisfy Premier League registration requirements.

Premier League clubs can only register 25 players over the age of 21.

Whilst January signings Dango Ouattara and Illia Zabarnyi do not need to be registered due to the fact they are under the age of 21, new arrivals Darren Randolph, Matias Vina, Hamed Traore and Antoine Semenyo were included in Cherries’ 25-man list.

Jamal Lowe and Emi Marcondes’ loan moves, to QPR and FC Nordsjaelland respectively, opened up two spots, meaning Pearson and Siriki Dembele were chosen to make way for the new signings.

As the deadline had passed prior to the move being finalised, a deal sheet was required to get the deal over the line.

Stoke City remain in the FA Cup, with Ben Pearson available as he was not used during Cherries' 4-2 home defeat to Burnley in the third round.