Premier League side Stoke City has officially announced the signing of out-of-favour Manchester City striker Wilfried Bony on a season-long loan deal.
The 27-year-old Man City striker was also linked with a move to West Ham, but the Ivorian player chose to a make a switch to Stoke City after completing his medical on Wednesday morning.
After completing the loan move, Bony posted a message on Twitter and Instagram, addressing Man City and Stoke City fans.
Thank You to all the MCFC fans for the support & hello to @stokecity fans I look forward to a great season together pic.twitter.com/NgKcFNkANL
— Wilfried Bony (@wilfriedbony) August 31, 2016
“Thank you to all the MCFC fans for the support & hello to @stokecity fans I look forward to a great season together,” he said.
While speaking about the loan move, Stoke City boss, Mark Hughes said: “Bringing Wilfried in was a no-brainer for us to be perfectly honest, because he knows the Premier League and has scored plenty of goals at this level.”
“He has power, speed and very good physical attributes which will undoubtedly help us, and his technical and finishing skills are outstanding too.
“Eighteen months ago he was being bought for a hugely significant amount of money, so we know that we are bringing in a top quality striker.”
BREAKING | #SCFC delighted to announce the season-long loan signing of @wilfriedbony from @ManCity pic.twitter.com/0I0FO81UDd
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) August 31, 2016
Stoke City confirmed the news on Twitter, saying: “BREAKING. Stoke delighted to announce the season-long loan signing of Wilfried Bony from Man City.”
Hughes has been desperate this summer to bolster the Stoke City attack this summer and had also placed a bid for West Brom’s Saido Berahino. However, West Brom declared that the striker is not for sale.
Bony had been left-out of City’s squad for the Champions League play-offs as Pep had already told the player that he is free to make a switch this summer.
Wilfried Bony did not feature in Manchester City’s five victories this season, which includes two Champions League playoff encounters against Steaua and the first three matches of the new Premier League season. After taking charge as Man City boss, Pep had made it clear that Bony didn’t fit in his plans for the new season, and opted to use Sergio Aguero and Kelechi Iheanacho up front.
Bony is expected to make his Stoke City debut in the league clash against Tottenham after the international break.