Stoke City Finalise Deal for Key Midfielder Despite Recent Injury Concerns
Stoke-on-Trent – Stoke City have completed the signing of Croatian midfielder Andrej Kramarić from Bundesliga side TSG Hoffenheim in a transfer worth an initial £14 million, potentially rising to £18 million through performance-based clauses. The 29-year-old has agreed a three-and-a-half-year contract at the bet365 Stadium, joining as the club’s headline January addition just weeks after undergoing minor knee surgery.
The move — confirmed on Tuesday following medical checks at Clayton Wood — signals a strong show of ambition from manager Narcis Pelach and sporting director Jon Walters as Stoke continue their bid for a Championship play-off spot. Currently seventh and within three points of the top six with games in hand, the club acted decisively to reinforce a midfield heavily disrupted by injuries this season.
Kramarić brings a wealth of experience and versatility. Over four seasons with Hoffenheim, he registered 38 goals and 41 assists in 162 matches, operating effectively as a number ten, deeper playmaker, or wide midfielder — qualities Stoke hope will address their recent lack of creativity.
However, the transfer has not been without debate. The Croatian underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in early October after suffering a meniscus tear during a match against Bayern Munich. While Hoffenheim had projected a mid-January return, Stoke pressed ahead after reviewing detailed medical assessments and conducting their own independent evaluations.
Speaking to The Sentinel, Kramarić said he is already ahead of schedule.
“I feel great,” he said through a translator. “The knee is strong, the swelling has gone, and I’ve trained pain-free for two weeks. I even played 60 minutes in a friendly last week. I expect to be in full training within ten days and ready for selection in early December.”
Stoke’s head of medicine, Dr Andy Miles, reinforced the club’s confidence, noting that all strength and balance tests show normal levels and that the player’s rehabilitation has been “exemplary.”
Negotiations briefly faltered last Thursday after German reports suggested the midfielder had failed his first medical. Additional MRI scans were requested before Stoke’s staff gave the green light, with £2 million of add-ons adjusted to appearance-based triggers to protect the club in case of setbacks.
For Pelach, securing Kramarić is a key victory. The Spaniard had prioritised the midfielder since September, having scouted him personally in Hoffenheim’s Europa League tie against Midtjylland. With Bae Junho injured until March, Lewis Baker out of form, and Wouter Burger suspended for several fixtures, midfield support was urgently needed.
“Andrej is a player I know extremely well,” Pelach said. “He has vision, technique, work rate — everything. We trust the medical process. This is a smart investment in a top professional.”
Kramarić, who previously attracted interest from Leicester City and West Ham, described the move as the opportunity he has long awaited. “Stoke is a historic club with passionate supporters,” he said. “I spoke with the manager many times; he explained exactly how I fit. I can’t wait to get started.”
The fee — a club record for the Championship era — has been made possible by summer departures and rising commercial revenue from bet365’s renewed stadium-naming agreement. Chairman John Coates approved the transfer after being assured Kramarić offers both immediate value and long-term potential should Stoke achieve promotion.
Fan reaction has been mixed but largely positive. Season-ticket holder Sarah Goodwin, 34, told The Sentinel: “Fourteen million for someone coming off knee surgery sounds risky, but if he performs like he did last season, it’s a great deal. We desperately need creativity.”
Meanwhile, a poll on Oatcake fanzine found 58% calling the signing “genius,” 27% “reckless,” and 15% reserving judgement.
Kramarić will wear the number 10 shirt and is expected to be presented to supporters before Saturday’s match against Millwall. Pelach is expected to integrate him gradually, potentially through the under-21 side before first-team action.
If his recovery continues smoothly, Stoke may have pulled off one of the most astute deals of the January window: a gifted creator with motivation to prove himself once more — and available for less than his pre-injury market value.
For a club frequently hampered by injuries this season, turning another team’s setback into their own potential breakthrough could prove decisive.
Welcome to Stoke-on-Trent, Andrej Kramarić. The real work begins now.