Hot on the heels of Gary Rowett’s first signing as manager of Stoke City, he has now completed his second capture of the summer as we plan for life back in the second tier of football.
Given the earlier speculation surrounding Benik Afobe and his overnight stay back at Wolverhampton Wanderers after they signed him this summer from Bournemouth, he has now completed his expected move to the Bet365 Stadium.
Becoming our second signing in the last 24 hours, following on from Nigerian World Cup midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo, Rowett was delighted with his capture, believing he would help fire us back to the Premier League.
“He’s an excellent character and at 25 he has bags of potential but has already shown what he’s all about by scoring a lot of goals. He fits the profile of how I want to play in terms of pace, athleticism, flexibility and he certainly has an eye for a goal. The Club have worked incredibly hard to make the signings of Benik and Etebo happen and I think it shows how quickly we want to hit the ground running and the type of players we want to bring to the Club. Getting those two in the building is a fantastic start.”
Stoke City are delighted to announce the signing of @Wolves striker Benik Afobe
The 25-year-old striker has moved to the bet365 Stadium on a six-month loan but with an obligation to purchase him for an undisclosed fee in January
👉 https://t.co/m3OlyfxJuH#SCFC pic.twitter.com/CoHv85EAL4
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) June 12, 2018
The deal sees Afobe technically loaned to City until the January window, wherein his deal will become permanent and we are obligated to buy him for a so far undisclosed fee. It is believed to be £12million however.
The majority of Wolves fans wished him well as the move was announced, and they backed him to find the net for us. That was, of course, music to Stoke fans ears.
WERE ACTUALLY WALKING THIS LEAGUE
— . (@SCFCOkay) June 12, 2018
We’re winning the league mate
— Rory (@Rory_Watt) June 12, 2018
— Matt (@deggyeggy2) June 12, 2018
Awesome work stoke, awesome work Scholes!
— Chris Eltham (@stokecitychris) June 12, 2018
Welcome afobe… Lift stoke city back to EPL
— Oluwashola Kingzino (@OluwasholaKing1) June 12, 2018
WELCOME to the POTTERS CTID
— Jacqueline Fagan (@JacquelineFaga4) June 12, 2018
Here’s what Wolves fans had to say.
Play 40 games he will easily bang in 20 and you're half way there to promotion already! sad to see him go and a quality, quality player at this level but Wolves obviously have bigger plans now (no disrespect to Stoke) i'm sure you lot will too when you come back up.
— 1877Wolves (@WolvesTruth) June 12, 2018
You’ve spent 12 million on a player. Everyone will hate you in this league now. Get ready to hear the likes of Aston Villa and Leeds crying week in week out about you spending too much. Good luck for the season. Wolves fan.
— Steve (@steveshorter) June 12, 2018
Already looking more positive thanks..a good manager.. 2 new players so far.. some will be moving on.. a good clear out.. the owners & the board admitted they made mistakes and have vowed to put it right..so looking forward to the new season.. no problem.. thanks
— Christine H (@Chris26Hughes) June 12, 2018
Good luck Benik take care of him Stoke ????
— Stacey Hitchins ???????????????????????????? (@StaceyWWFC) June 12, 2018
Very good player at championship level, feel he deserved a bit better from wolves but nuno and team ain’t done much wrong so far. Excellent signing for stoke. Good luck benik ????⚫️????
— Mark baker (@Baker4860) June 12, 2018
In outgoing news, Egyptian winger Ramadan Sobhi has left for Huddersfield Town in a deal revealed by the club as being worth £5.7million for us. He made 46 appearances for us in his two years at the club, scoring three times.
It represents a small uplift on our initial reported signing fee but it’s fair to say few will miss him, even if they think he didn’t suit Mark Hughes style of play.
