Stoke end striker Berahino's West Brom misery

LONDON (Reuters) - Wantaway striker Saido Berahino finally ended his unhappy stay at West Bromwich Albion by joining fellow Premier League club Stoke City on a 5-1/2 year deal for 12 million pounds ($14.85 million) on Friday.

Stoke beat off competition from top-flight rivals Watford and West Ham United to sign Berahino, whose relationship with West Brom soured after a bid from Tottenham Hotspur was rejected on transfer deadline day in 2015.

Stoke, ninth in the league one place and two points below West Brom , said the 23-year-old Berahino's fee could rise to 15 million pounds based on the player's and club's success.

"We've signed a young English striker who has already proven his ability in the Premier League," Stoke chief executive Tony Scholes told the club's website (www.stokecityfc.com).

"After a frustrating period he's now desperately keen to reignite his career and we look forward to seeing him do that with us."

Former England under-21 international Berahino, whose contract was due to expire at the end of the season, has not played since September.

"I've had a tough two years, it's been hard for me but everything happens for a reason. I'm mentally stronger now," he said. "Now I am here, I just can't wait to start. For Stoke to show their faith in me is unbelievable."

Berahino reacted angrily when a move to Tottenham was scuppered two years ago and subsequently tweeted that he would never play for West Brom again under then-chairman Jeremy Peace.

He now wants to get match fit as soon as possible after his spell on the sidelines.

"On match fitness I am not there yet, but I am going to work hard to get myself back so I can help my new team mates climb the table," he added.

Berahino, a product of Albion's youth system, scored 23 league goals in 105 appearances for the Baggies after loan spells earlier in his career with Northampton Town, Brentford and Peterborough United.

He is Stoke's second signing in the January transfer window after a loan deal for Derby keeper Lee Grant was made permanent.

($1 = 0.8081 pounds)

(Reporting by Pritha Sarkar, editing by Ken Ferris)