Hirst's Stoke Move Confirmed
Thursday, 20th Aug 2026 19:07
Striker George Hirst’s permanent move to Stoke City has been confirmed.
The Potters are understood to have paid an initial £6 million with a further £4 million in add-ons also part of the deal.
Hirst, who has signed a three-year deal, was left out of the party which travelled for last week’s mini-training camp in Germany with Town and the Potters in discussions regarding the Scotland international joining the Championship side, whose interest first emerged at the end of last month.
Stoke wanted a season-long loan, while the Blues were insisting on a permanent switch for the 27-year-old.
“I'm here to score goals and put in the performances that Stoke fans are going to enjoy,” Hirst said.
“Everyone wants to be somewhere that is going to help make them a better player and somewhere they feel like they can help, and I feel like this is both of those things for me.
“When you work as hard as possible at the training ground, live right at home and do all the little one percents, all those things do add up to success.
“So, if you've got a squad of boys who are all doing that, all pulling in the same direction and fighting for the same cause, you won’t go wrong.
“Viktor \[Johansson, a teammate at Leicester\] told me how good of a place it is and I think that reflects in him signing his new deal.
“For me to have that confidence from someone that I know, and whose opinion I trust, speaks volumes of the place.”
Stoke sporting director and former Blues skipper Jon Walters added: “George has been an important player for Ipswich Town during the past three-and-a-half seasons and we are delighted he is now a Stoke City player.
“We identified him as a target some time ago. He has a proven record of scoring goals in this division and knows what it takes to be successful, having won two promotions to the Premier League with Ipswich.
“I am sure our supporters will join me in giving George a warm welcome to the bet365 Stadium, where we hope he will enjoy success in the seasons ahead.”
Hirst played a big part in Town’s three promotions in four years having joined from Leicester, initially on loan, midway through the 2022/23 League One campaign. The move was made permanent for £1.5 million that summer.
The son of Sheffield Wednesday legend David, Hirst made 73 starts and 52 sub appearances for Town, scoring 30 goals, including some of the most important and memorable of the Kieran McKenna era.
Blues full-back Ben Johnson is set to join Hirst at Stoke with a season-long loan move also set to be confirmed.
_Photo: Matchday Images_