Stoke City’s standout summer acquisition, Ethan Galbraith, expressed that the club’s aspirations made his transition to the Potteries feel like an ideal decision.
The Northern Ireland midfielder signed for an eight-figure fee, inclusive of potential add-ons, from Swansea City on July 1.
He joined alongside former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Svante Ingelsson, marking Stoke’s fourth transfer deal as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Galbraith has signed a contract that extends until the end of the 2030-31 season and expressed his excitement about the opportunity to help Stoke return to the Premier League for the first time since 2018.
“I’ve mentioned it before, the club’s ambition aligns perfectly with my career goals,” he told BBC Radio Stoke.
“Everything I’ve heard about the club has been appealing.”
Galbraith made one season with Swansea, who enjoyed a significant profit on the player they acquired from Leyton Orient for last summer.
Despite his brief spell in Wales, Galbraith recognized the impact Swansea had on his development.
“I hold a lot of respect for Swansea. They played a crucial role in my progress,” he remarked.
“However, arriving here, the facilities and opportunities available to all players are top-notch. You can truly sense the pride and stature of the club when you see the training environment and the intensity of the sessions. It’s a great place to work, with everyone pushing one another daily.”
In an interesting twist, Galbraith, 25, will face his former team on the opening weekend of the new season, with Swansea set to visit the bet365 Stadium on Saturday, August 15.
“It’s not something you contemplate at first, but then you see the fixture list. Not many players switch clubs and face their former team right away,” he noted. “But it’s part of football. I’ll remain professional and do my job for the team, just as I would against any other opponent.”
‘I know this is a really good fit for me’
With Stoke determined to end their nearly ten-year absence from the Premier League and significant investment made to strengthen the squad over the past year, expectations for Mark Robins’ side this season are set to rise.
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Former Stoke manager and Galbraith’s international coach, Michael O’Neill, spoke highly of the Potters when discussing the move with Galbraith.
“He shared nothing but positive reflections about the club, which provided me valuable insights,” Galbraith stated.
“Regarding pressure, we all try to tune out external chatter. I’ve always held self-imposed pressure throughout my career, so this experience will be no different. I feel this is a fantastic fit for me.”