Milan Smit signed for Stoke City in the January transfer window

When Stoke City came calling in the January transfer window, Milan Smit didn’t need long to make up his mind.

The Dutch striker says his move in January was a “dream” opportunity that arrived suddenly, escalated quickly and simply couldn’t be turned down. He tells all to Voetbal Primeur today. 

A transfer that changed everything

Milan Smit had already been impressing in the Netherlands with Go Ahead Eagles since joining them in 2024, with 13 goals and five assists in 54 games.

He’d also impressed at SC Cambuur, with 28 goals and six assists in 63 games for them. That European form had already put him on several radars, but the decisive moment for the 23-year-old came the day before a clash with Ajax.

“My agent called and said: There is a club that has serious interest. I immediately asked if the match against Ajax could be my last for Go Ahead. ‘That could be the case,’ he replied.

“I think everyone knows Stoke City. At that time, the club was also still reasonably close to the play-offs for promotion to the Premier League. That is really...