Stoke City are set to complete the signing of goalkeeper Jack Bonham, a report from a print edition of The Sun (20/06, p65) has claimed.

Bonham is currently a free agent, having turned down a new deal with Gillingham following the expiry of his contract at Priestfield at the end of last season, after two years with the League One club.

Now it seems as though the 27-year-old could be set to make the step up to the Championship for next season.

According to this latest report, Bonham is now close to completing a move to Stoke, who will be looking to build on a 14th-place finish in the second-tier last season.

It is thought that Stoke see Bonham as ideal competition for the number one spot between the posts going forward, with the likes of Adam Davies, Josef Bursik and the on-loan Angus Gunn having all battled for that position last season.

In total, Bonham made 89 appearances in all competitions for Gillingham during his time with the club, although he is yet to really be tested in the Championship, having played just two games at that level.

The Verdict

This is an interesting one to consider from a Stoke City perspective.

The Potters were never really able to settle on one first choice 'keeper last season, and you imagine the stability that doing would bring, is something that could be useful for Michael O'Neill's side.

Bonham would obviously provide them with an option to do that with, and given he is a free agent, this would be an affordable deal for Stoke from a financial perspective, which will help in this current climate.

However, the fact that Bonham is rather inexperienced in the Championship, means you do have to feel that there would be some element of risk involved in this deal for Stoke, despite the promise he has shown at League One level.