Stoke City have announced the signing of 23-year-old Barcelona La Masia product, Bojan Krkic.
The Spanish striker, who has spent loan spells with AS Roma, Ajax and AC Milan, has signed a four-year deal with the Premier League side.
An official announcement was issued via Stoke City’s Twitter account:
“#HolaBojan Stoke City are delighted to confirm the signing of Bojan Krkic from FCBarcelona on a 4-year deal.’
Stoke City manager Mark Hughes (who was formerly a forward with Barcelona from 1986-1988) used the club’s website to comment on the signing:
“Anyone who knows European football will be aware of him as a player and the fact that he sees his future at Stoke City is really exciting and an endorsement of the Club itself. He’s desperate to prove himself in the Premier League and we’re pleased to be able to offer him that platform”
Bojan made 100 appearances for Barcelona, scoring 27 league goals, before joining Roma in 2011.
The striker struggled during his initial spell with the club and was later loaned out to AC Milan. He returned to Barcelona in the summer of 2013 following his time in Milan.
He was then loaned out to Ajax where he helped the Dutch side secure the 2014 Eredivisie title, scoring five goals in 32 appearances.
Bojan is Mark Hughes fifth signing this summer, along with Mame Biram Diouf (Hannover 96), Steve Sidwell (Fulham), Phil Bardsley (Sunderland) and Dionatan Teixeira (Dukla Banska Bystrica).
The deal between Barcelona and Stoke City is complete, but the Catalan giants have retained a buy-back clause for the player.
The question now has to be asked:
