Steve Cotterill, one of the men linked with the vacant manager's position at Albion, has become boss of Stoke City.

Cotterill has signed a three-year contract and takes up his new post at the Britannia Stadium with immediate effect.

The 37-year-old will work alongside director of football John Rudge and first-team coach Dave Kevan.

He replaces Gudjon Thordarson, who was sacked four days after taking the Potters into the First Division after play-off success against Brentford.

Stoke fought off competition from First Division rivals Wimbledon who also made an official approach to Cotterill.

Cotterill led Cheltenham into Division Two earlier this month after a 3-1 play-off final win over Rushden and Diamonds, having masterminded their spectacular rise from the Dr Martens League in just five years.

Stoke were promoted themselves via the play-offs after a 2-0 win over Brentford in the Second Division final.

Former boss Gudjon Thordarson left the club after a disagreement with the Icelandic consortium in charge at the Britannia Stadium shortly after the play-off success.