Stoke City striker Robert Bozenik joined the club this summer transfer window and has big ambitions
Joseph Chapman
10:50, 05 Aug 2025
Stoke City's Robert Bozenik
Stoke City's Robert Bozenik(Image: PA)
Striker Robert Bozenik grew up watching English football and seeing Stoke City compete in the Premier League - and he joins the club with a long-term goal of helping them reclaim their top flight status.
The Slovakian international has joined Stoke from Portuguese side Boavista, and agrees with fellow summer signing Aaron Cresswell that he has joined a Premier League club in all but name.
Despite being just 25, Bozenik is already well travelled. He has also had previous spells in the Netherlands with Feyenoord and Germany with Fortuna Dusseldorf, during which time he has earned 50 caps for his country.
Like many aspiring footballers growing up around Europe, Bozenik was exposed to English football and the Premier League and saw Stoke competing at the top table with household names leading their line - now, he'd like to announce himself as Mark Robins' talisman who can spearhead the attack.
"When I was younger and I was watching a lot of English football, especially the Premier League, I remember the times when Stoke played in it," Bozenik said. "They always had great strikers, like Peter Crouch and Marko Arnautovic - they are really legends of the club. That's what I have in my mind of Stoke.
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"When I first spoke to my family about this opportunity to join Stoke, they were super excited. For my father and grandfather, Stoke is a Premier League club. When I first entered the club and I saw the facilities and everything, I can only agree - Stoke, with the facilities and the stadium, with everything, it's still a Premier League club."
Bozenik had been left enthused having visited the Potteries earlier this summer, when the move was in the process of happening. He chatted with head coach Mark Robins and sporting director Jonathan Walters and liked what he heard.
"When I had a few days off after my last international game I spent a couple of days here and the club showed me the facilities," Bozenik explained. "We had personal talks. The conversations with Jonathan was really great, it was easy to listen because he is a former player, a big player of this club.
"When you have those meetings, it's easier to accept this challenge. When I spoke with the manager, I saw his identity, how he wants to present his team. He works with the strikers and that's why I was keen to sign for Stoke.
"Everything has been quite fast. I'm very happy to be a part of this amazing club and my first days have been lots of new things, so I need to smart and sure in taking care of everything - the first couple of days was quite hard but everything is okay. I'm really happy to be here.
"Since the first moment I entered the dressing room I have had a warm welcome. They have helped me with everything and tried to help me always. They've given me the feeling like I'm a part of the family, so it's been more easy for me to join in."
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