The 29-year-old returns to the Britannia Stadium after just one year with the Black Cats following a £3m move last summer.

The defender made 22 appearances and scored three goals for the Black Cas, and was in their starting line-up when they beat Tottenham 2-1 at White Hart Lane last month.

Stoke chief executive Tony Scholes told the club's website, stokecityfc.co.uk: "Danny is a player we know very well and we are very happy to have him back here.

"His character and leadership qualities are both absolutely first class, and we know exactly what we are getting from him.

"He was a huge success here last time, and he did very well at Sunderland, so to get him back here is brilliant news for us."

Higginbotham had one season with the Potters in his first spell with the club, making almost 50 appearances.

He has also played at Southampton and Derby after starting his career as a trainee at Manchester United.