Juan Agudelo eager to secure work permit

Juan Agudelo has admitted that he has found it difficult to delay his dream of playing in the Premier League.

The American forward was denied a work permit to play in England last year but was still signed by Stoke City, who decided to send him on loan to FC Utrecht as they continue the process of making him available to Mark Hughes.

"It was just hard to give up on a dream that I had as a kid," Agudelo told reporters.

"Maybe something could have worked out with Major League Soccer, but for the most part I wanted to try and come over here.

"It was a little bit difficult, but everything is a process."

Agudelo agreed a move to Stoke after deciding to leave New England Revolution.