George Hearst has officially joined Stoke City and signed a three-year contract with the club.

Stoke City have officially announced the signing of George Hurst. The Scottish international striker, formerly of Ipswich Town in the English Premier League, signed a three-year contract with an option to extend for another year. The transfer fee was not disclosed. Hurst will wear the number 15 shirt for Stoke City next season and becomes the club's sixth signing this summer.  

The 27-year-old George Hurst has already accumulated extensive experience in the Championship, having twice helped Ipswich Town achieve promotion. During the 2023/24 and 2025/26 seasons, he played a crucial role in the team's two attempts to reach the Premier League, making 49 starts and contributing 18 goals and 10 assists. His consistent and efficient performances have earned him a place in Scotland's squad for this summer's World Cup.  

Stoke City sporting director Jonathan Walters welcomed the signing of George Hurst, saying: “George Hurst has been a very important member of the Ipswich Town squad for the past three and a half seasons, and we are delighted to bring him to Stoke City. In fact, we had him on our transfer target list quite early on. He has proven his scoring ability at this level and has helped Ipswich Town gain promotion to the Premier League twice, so he understands very well what it takes for a team to succeed.”  

After joining Stoke City, George Hurst stated that he hopes to repay the team and fans through goals and outstanding performances. He said, "My goal here is clear: to help the team score goals and make Stoke City fans happy with my performance. I think every player wants to join a club that can help them grow and also allow them to contribute to the team, and Stoke City is exactly that."  

“Victor Johansson had spoken to me about the situation here before, and he told me that Stoke City is a fantastic club. I think his decision to renew his contract is itself a testament to the environment here. It’s very important to me to have the approval of someone I know and trust, and it makes me even more certain that coming here was the right choice.”  

George Hurst has now made nearly 250 official appearances in his professional career. With his extensive experience in the Championship, his two promotions with Ipswich Town, and his consistent attacking prowess, his arrival is expected to further enhance Stoke City's overall attacking strength, adding significant power to the team's pursuit of higher goals in the new season.  

Image source: Internet/Stoke City official website