Yahoo News Stoke City win Championship-wide race to sign in-demand striker
Stoke City have won a Championship-wide, summer-long fight to sign Tom Cannon.
The 21-year-old striker is signing on a season-long loan from Leicester City as Jon Walters and Steven Schumacher complete the ninth signing and a key part of their transfer window business in the hours before deadline.
He could have gone to a host of clubs as his exit was sanctioned by Steve Cooper but Stoke’s work behind the scenes over the last couple of months made sure he was crossing the Midlands to the bet365 Stadium.
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The Republic of Ireland international - who has played at youth level with Andrew Moran and Bosun Lawal - is desperate to play regular football after a year largely watching at Leicester since his £7.5m arrival from Everton, although he did help win promotion to the Premier League. He had scored eight times in 20 appearances in the previous half-season on loan at Preston North End.
Stoke sporting director Jon Walters said: “It’s no exaggeration to say that most clubs in the Championship wanted to sign Tom this summer, so it’s a huge vote of confidence that he has opted for Stoke City.
“His arrival is testament to his faith in the squad we are building and in the way he believes we can develop him as a footballer, and I can’t wait to see him representing our club on the field.
“With the signings we have made this summer adding to the attacking quality we already had in the building, we believe we now have the firepower to climb the table and enjoy a successful campaign.”
Cannon has already been flooded with messages from Stoke fans.
He said: “Stoke City is a massive club, with an exciting young team and I’m absolutely delighted to be joining.
“I’ve had loads of messages from the supporters. I’m feeling the love from them already and being appreciated at a club is massive. I’m hoping I can get off the mark as soon as possible and repay them with goals.
“What they will see is me working my socks off and being up for it, and when I get an opportunity, I can put it away.”
Stoke are expected to complete their incoming summer business with midfielder Tatsuki Seko before 11pm.
