[themaclad]

Stoke City have completed their second summer signing by bringing in Norwich City defender Ben Gibson.

The 31-year-old former Middlesbrough and Burnley centre-back has signed a three-year deal with the Potters and follows the signing of Rotherham United goalkeeper Viktor Johansson in May.

He has twice won promotion from the Championship, in 2015-16 with hometown club Boro, where his uncle Steve is the chairman, and again with the Canaries in 2020-21.

Gibson also played in the top flight for Burnley, who he joined from Boro in 2018 as their then £15m record signing.

"Having won promotion from the second tier, Ben is well versed in knowing what it takes to be successful at this level," said Stoke sporting director Jonathan Walters.

"Successful teams need leaders, strong characters and experience and Ben gives us all three qualities in abundance. He sets high standards of himself and others, both on the training ground and off the pitch."

Gibson said: "I have played here. The atmosphere is fantastic and the fanbase speaks for itself. I want to be part of a team that brings the good times back to Stoke.

"We have to build a culture and environment where everyone is demanding of each other, where we don’t accept second best from anyone in this football club from top to bottom."

[themaclad]

Stoke City have made their third summer signing by bringing in defender Eric Bocat from Belgian top-flight club Sint-Truiden for an undisclosed fee on a four-year contract.

The 24-year-old Frenchman, who began his career at Lille, follows the arrival of Norwich City defender Ben Gibson and Rotherham United goalkeeper Viktor Johansson.

"He is a versatile, athletic, and exciting player whose attributes can help him thrive in the Championship and beyond," said Stoke sporting director Jon Walters.

“Eric’s ability to adapt to different positions on the field will be a tremendous asset."

[themaclad]

Stoke City have signed striker Sam Gallagher from Blackburn Rovers for an undisclosed fee.

The 28-year-old, who joined Rovers from Southampton in 2019, has signed a three-year deal to become Potters boss Steven Schumacher's fourth summer signing - in marked contrast to the summer of 2023, when the club brought in 19 players.

It follows the arrivals of goalkeeper Viktor Johansson and defenders Ben Gibson and Eric Bocat.

“Sam has a wealth of Championship experience," said Stoke sporting director Jon Walters.

"That’s something we wanted to bring into our forward line to complement the players we already have and others we are looking to bring in.

“He is a traditional number nine but has played a lot of his recent football for Blackburn in wide positions. He has shown for a number of years that those around him benefit from playing alongside him.

“There was a lot of interest in Sam from elsewhere, so for him to have chosen us shows that he likes what we are about as a club."

After joining Southampton as a 16-year-old, former England youth international Gallagher had loan spells at Milton Keynes Dons, Blackburn and Birmingham City before a permanent move to East Lancashire in 2019.

“The direction that the club wants to go in is what attracted me,” said Gallagher.

"There is an eagerness to climb the league which aligns with what I want to achieve.

“I feel confident in my abilities, I want to impact the team in a positive way and, most importantly, for the club to be successful.”

[themaclad]

Stoke City have signed Liverpool teenager Lewis Koumas on a season-long loan.

The 18-year-old forward, who is the son of former Wales international Jason, scored for the Premier League side against Southampton in the FA Cup last season.

He made his debut for Wales this summer in friendlies against Gibraltar and Slovakia.

But he is not eligible for Stoke's opening Championship game at home to Coventry City on Saturday.

"We are thankful to Liverpool for entrusting us with one of their brightest prospects ahead of other interested clubs," Stoke's sporting director Jon Walters told the club's website.

[themaclad]

Stoke City have parted company with midfielder Daniel Johnson by mutual consent.

The 31-year-old midfielder still had 10 months left to run on the two-year deal he signed when he joined the Potters in July 2023, to be reunited with then Stoke boss Alex Neil, who he played under at Deepdale for four years.

Johnson made 19 Championship starts for Stoke, but had only played in the EFL Cup win at Carlisle United, as well as making a late sub appearance in the league, this season.

“Daniel’s minutes on the field have been limited since the latter part of last season," said Stoke sporting director Jonathan Walters.

"We have mutually decided it is in his and the club’s best interests to part ways."

After leaving boyhood club Aston Villa in 2015, Jamaica international Johnson made 336 North End appearances before joining Stoke at the end of his contract.