Stoke City’s rivals secure transfer No. 4 as Wrexham linked with shock Sheff Wed swoop
The Potters will be all-too-aware that fellow Championship clubs are already making moves as their competitors waste no time dipping their toes into the transfer market in a bid to strengthen their sides
Stoke City will be looking to improve on a turbulent 2024 season which saw them tread water as they finished 18th in the Championship — and the re-opening of the transfer market today following a six day hiatus presents opportunities for progression.
After keeping the side up the season before last, Steve Schumacher was expected to improve on their previous run but was sacked after only five games into the new campaign. It was a move that surprised many and jaws further dropped when it was announced that NarcÃs Pèlach would be taking the reins in his first head coach role.
Pèlach, who had been at Norwich City before he got the call at Stoke, took over once Schumacher and his coaching staff had vacated the Bet365 Stadium. However, things did not go to plan for the new gaffer who managed just three victories in 19 before also getting the boot — the highlight of his reign was a head-turning 6-1 thrashing over Portsmouth where Tom Cannon managed to put four goals on the board.
The Spaniard was given his marching orders on December 27 and former Potters’ defender Ryan Shawcross took over caretaker duties where the team instantly achieved some success as they recorded their first win in nine games.
On New Year’s Day, Mark Robins was announced as the side’s new boss after being presented with a three-and-a-half year deal. The Potters managed to limp along in the competition for the rest of the campaign and survive to fight another day in the second-tier of English football.
Robins will be looking to take his squad forward as expectations from ownershi p and fans are high. The Potters have already managed to sign Welsh international Sorba Thomas on a free transfer from Huddersfield Town and are believed to be looking at centre-back Mateusz Skrzypczak — according to Polish press.
We have taken a look at some of the latest deals and rumour from around the division including the moves Stoke’s rivals are making in the transfer market.
Swansea City sign Cameron Burgess
The Swans announced they have signed 29-year-old Australian international Cameron Burgess on a three year deal from Ipswich Town. Swansea manager Alan Sheehan confirmed the news as his side made their fourth signing of the summer. The BBC reported that Scottish born Burgess was out of contract at the Tractor Boys and follows Bobby Wales, Zeidane Inoussa and Ricardo Santos into the Welsh club’s set-up.
Burgess got his start at Fulham and underwent loan spells at teams including Oldham Athletic, Ross County and Bury — before Accrington Stanley in 2020. A year later, he signed for Ipswich Town where he was instrumental in helping his side achieve two promotions as they stormed into the Premier League. The Swans’ new signing also helped his country qualify for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Swansea head coach Alan Sheehan said: “We are delighted that Cameron will be joining us at Swansea City. He is an experienced and consistent performer that has seen him rise up through the divisions in the last few years and become a full international.
“During our conversations Cameron really bought in to what we are trying to do at Swansea and I believe he will be a great addition for us on and off the pitch driving standards throughout the club, and we look forward to getting to work with him.”
The club have also been linked to Ethan Galbraith who plays for Leyton Orient but the club are reluctant to release him after they turned down a £1.3m deal from Charlton Athletic.
