Stephen Ward has been snapped up by Stoke City on an initial one-year deal.
Former Ireland international Ward, 33, has joined the Potters after spending the last four years with Burnley, the last three of which were in the Premier League.
Manager Nathan Jones had worked with the Dubliner while he was on loan at Brighton before his Burnley move.
Jones said: “He’s a wonderful player with great experience, not least because he has won the Championship title twice.
"I know that technically he’s very, very good.
“He’s slightly older than a player we might usually target but I feel we need to add certain characteristics to the changing room and Stephen brings those to the environment.”
For his part Ward, who hung up his boots at international level in March after making 50 senior Ireland appearances, is delighted with the move.
"It’s a massive club with great ambitions and I’m really happy to have joined," said the veteran left-back.
"It's a new club and I want to hit the ground running and hopefully we can have a really successful year.
"I'm feeling fit and strong and ready to go. This club is built for the Premier League, so that’s got to be the main priority this year.
"Winning promotion and having a successful season has to be our aim, and that's the base of what I’m seeing after speaking to the manager.
"I was really excited in what the manager had to say, his philosophy and his plan for the club. As soon as I spoke to him, I knew that I wanted to be here.
"I've had a good break, looked after myself and I'm raring to go. I'm delighted to have sorted my future".
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