Stoke City have confirmed the signing of young attacker Adriel Walker from West Brom on a permanent deal.
The 19-year-old has joined the Potters until the summer of 2026 and will initially bolster their Under-21 team, where he will aim to continue his development. Walker has spent the last nine years at West Brom, coming through the ranks at The Hawthorns.
He made a name for himself with the Baggies’ Under-18s last season, scoring nine goals, before progressing to the Under-21s this campaign. With Stoke City now securing his services, Walker will be keen to impress and work his way into the first-team setup at the Bet365 Stadium.
Walker’s Potential and Future at Stoke City
The addition of Walker is part of Stoke’s strategy to invest in younger players and build for the future. He will now join the Potters’ Under-21 squad under the guidance of coach Dave Hibbert, where he will add more depth and competition in attacking areas.
Stoke City are currently in 18th place in the Championship, five points above the relegation zone, with 16 matches remaining. Their recent 2-1 win away at Hull City, with goals from Ali Al-Hamadi and Andy Moran, has given them a bit of breathing room at the bottom of the table. The Potters will be hoping that Walker’s development can provide an additional spark for the future, while they focus on maintaining their second-tier status this season.
Stoke City’s Strategy and Looking Ahead
Alongside Walker, Stoke also made another key signing this week, bringing in Ruben Curley from Manchester United, reinforcing their focus on developing young talent. While they continue to fight for survival in the Championship, their recent recruitment suggests they are planning for the long-term future, building a squad that can compete at a higher level in the seasons to come.
Writer’s View
Stoke City’s signing of Adriel Walker looks to be a smart investment for the future. While the 19-year-old will initially strengthen the Under-21s, there’s a good chance he will play an important role for the first team in the years to come. His experience with West Brom’s youth teams and his potential to develop further at Stoke could make him an exciting prospect. As the Potters continue to fight against relegation, adding promising talent like Walker could be a key part of their future success both on and off the pitch.