Ivory Coast
Ivorian international Wilfried Bony, has joined Premier League (PL) side Stoke City from Manchester City.
Bony joins on transfer deadline day as he looks to get more playing time. He had been told he does not figure in new manager Pep Guardiola’s first-team plans and was free to find a new club.
Stoke City said they were delighted to land the Ivorian who they described as having a reputation of ‘‘being one of European footballs most prolific frontmen – netting 130 goals in just 278 career appearances.’‘
The former Manchester City striker on his part said on Twitter he was excited to begin a new challenge. ‘’ It’s a new day and I look forward to a new exciting challenge,’‘ he said.
It’s a new day and I look forward to a new exciting challenge 💪
— Wilfried Bony (@wilfriedbony) August 31, 2016
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— Stoke City FC (stokecity) August 31, 2016wilfriedbonyis all smiles after completing his season-long loan move to #SCFC 😃 pic.twitter.com/agrMm3MJaR
Bony cost City £25m ($32m) in 2015, when he joined on a four-and-a-half-year contract.
His new manager, Mark Hughes said after the signing that “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.”
