Stoke City make quick swoop for attacker after West Ham release

Stoke City have signed teenage forward Favour Fawunmi after his exit from West Ham last week, it has been confirmed.

Stoke City had a fairly quiet transfer window over the course of January. Largely, Mark Robins will have to work with what he’s got at SCFC until the summer.

There were a couple of loan signings though. Ali Al-Hamadi has joined from Ipswich Town as a new option up top while Josh Wilson-Esbrand, who played under Robins at Coventry City, comes in from Manchester City until the end of the season.

However, there is no constraint on moves for free agents outside the transfer window dates, and the Potters have now made a new addition to their academy setup.

Stoke City have confirmed the signing of 18-year-old Favour Fawunmi following a short and successful trial period with the Championship club.

The youngster became a free agent last week after his short-term deal expired at West Ham, where he had been since a young age. Now though, he heads for pastures new and will be eager to continue his development in Staffordshire with SCFC.

He signs a two-and-a-half year deal with Stoke, keeping him onboard until the summer of 2027.

However, the youngster was not without other admirers.

After his West Ham exit, it was reported by the Evening Standard that Greek side PAOK eyed a move for Fawunmi. He also spent time on trial with QPR this time last year.

West Ham had offered Fawunmi a new deal to keep him until 2026 too, but it seems he favoured a move elsewhere to strengthen his chances of a push for a first-team breakthrough, something he’ll now be eager to achieve with SCFC.