The 29-year-old passed a medical and signed his contract with the Potters on Tuesday morning.
He told the club’s official website: “One of the great things about this move is that I will have some familiar faces around me with so many ex-Sunderland players already here. Why, the Club even plays in red and white stripes as well.
“All this has happened so quickly because only a few weeks ago I was captaining the Sunderland side in their pre-season friendlies, but Steve Bruce made it clear that he was going to bring in new faces and he couldn’t guarantee me a place.
“Therefore, when I was made aware of Stoke’s interest, I thought it was a good time to move on and seek a fresh challenge. In many respects, the two Clubs are alike in that they have big ambitions to finish in the top half of the table this season.”
