Dutch winger Ibrahim Afellay has signed for Stoke City, becoming the fourth former Barcelona player to join the club after Bojan Krkic, Marc Muniesa and Moha El Ouriachi. The 29-year-old Netherlands international joined the club on a free transfer after his contract with Barcelona run out this summer. He hasn't been able to become a first-team regular at Nou Camp and was sent out on loan at Greek outfit Olympiakos last season.
Afellay, who has 50 caps for the Netherlands national team, is the eighth signing of the summer for the Potters. Manager Mark Hughes has also revealed that the club are still trying to sign Ukrainian winger Andriy Yarmolenko. They have made a £13m bid for the player after having sold Steven N'Zonzi and Asmir Begovic for a total of £15m.
"We've expressed an interest, but we're not the only club," Hughes told BBC Sport. "I'm not sure how it's progressing. We're in the market for good players but we also understand that there are other clubs who covet players at that level. We are encouraged by the conversations we're having but we also know we have just got to be patient. If it can be done, then the club will try to make it happen."
Stoke City are 2.10 at Bet365 to finish inside the Premier League top half of the table next season.
Alexa Alexa 8 years ago
I agree with bouth seculla and h34dunt3r/Ibrahim Affellay was one of the biggest talents of his generation in the Europe.The proof of that is the fact that he signed for Barcelona,when they had Xavi and Iniesta in best football years.They thought that he can become their replacement.He never achieved quality that was expected...
I agree with bouth seculla and h34dunt3r/Ibrahim Affellay was one of the biggest talents of his generation in the Europe.The proof of that is the fact that he signed for Barcelona,when they had Xavi and Iniesta in best football years.They thought that he can become their replacement.He never achieved quality that was expected from him to achieve,but still,he is very good player and I am sure he will be very important in the squad of Stoke City.
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seculla
8 years ago
I must agree with h34dhunt3r again, Ibrahim Afellay was very big young talent, one of many that Ajax's football school. But his career didn't go as good as many of us expected, so he didn't made to be significant part of teams that he played. I think that this transfer is good for both sides, him and Stoke too, they'll...
I must agree with h34dhunt3r again, Ibrahim Afellay was very big young talent, one of many that Ajax's football school. But his career didn't go as good as many of us expected, so he didn't made to be significant part of teams that he played. I think that this transfer is good for both sides, him and Stoke too, they'll have great player and he will have more minutes to play.
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sharpe
8 years ago
I've almost forgot his name, don't heard anything about him in the last year. That's why sometimes the transfer in so huge team like Barcelona is not the best option. He is a good player and in Stoke he will have the chance to revive his career and the Premier League is the right place to do it because he has what is needed...
I've almost forgot his name, don't heard anything about him in the last year. That's why sometimes the transfer in so huge team like Barcelona is not the best option. He is a good player and in Stoke he will have the chance to revive his career and the Premier League is the right place to do it because he has what is needed to be a successful player in England.
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aleksandar vlaisavljevic 8 years ago
He is an example that being in club like Barcelona sometimes it's not best solution. He had 8 great seasons in PSV. Than, he was on the bench for too long, but I hope that his days are still to come. He is raw talent, one of the best young wingers. Well, being 29 in football is not the end, but far from ideal. But also,...
He is an example that being in club like Barcelona sometimes it's not best solution. He had 8 great seasons in PSV. Than, he was on the bench for too long, but I hope that his days are still to come. He is raw talent, one of the best young wingers. Well, being 29 in football is not the end, but far from ideal. But also, as I remember, he had injuries while being on Barcelona. That stopped him too.
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h34dhunt3r
8 years ago
One of the biggest talents of Dutch football in last decade, Ibrahim Afellay, didn't reach his full potential. While he was in PSV, he was a beast. And then, when he joined Barcelona everything went downhill. In best years of his career he was sitting on a bench, barely playing any matches during the few seasons. Joining...
One of the biggest talents of Dutch football in last decade, Ibrahim Afellay, didn't reach his full potential. While he was in PSV, he was a beast. And then, when he joined Barcelona everything went downhill. In best years of his career he was sitting on a bench, barely playing any matches during the few seasons. Joining Stouk City is jackpot for him, since this is exactly a type of a club where you can recover your career. Good luck and hopefully we will see you in some bigger club next season.
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