Manager Mark Hughes has been speaking at his delight at finally capturing Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.
Having confirmed the signing of the 28 year old free agent, Hughes told the Official Website this morning that he was finally pleased to get what had been a long term target for him.
‘He is a player who has been on my radar for quite some time now, in fact it was when he played for Hamburg I first saw him and took note of how good a player he was. I was manager at Manchester City, I think, or Blackburn Rovers, at the time and I just remember him making an impression in the game. He is a talented guy, who has good pace, power and a real presence too – I really believe the supporters will enjoy watching him play.’
With Choupo-Moting signing a three year deal at Stoke City yesterday evening, Hughes went on to add admit that we had been in for him previously but we couldn’t get a deal done a few years back.
‘We actually tried to bring him here a couple of windows ago, but for whatever reason we weren`t able to get the deal done, but thankfully we have been able to do so this time, and I am delighted.’
With the latest signing through the door, Hughes went on to say he was pleased with how the Stoke squad was shaping up this summer as we head towards the weekend’s Premier League kick off against Everton at Goodison Park.
‘Some windows can frustrate you, and this one has been a bit of a slow burner to be perfectly honest. We`re getting their slowly but surely though and other things will happen between now and the end of the transfer window. We`ll continue to pursue good players and whilst we will miss out on some, as we have done already, we will get others through the door, like we have today.’
