Stoke Smash Record for Sochaux Star Mayorga
The Potters splash £77.1m on Juan Mayorga, a Spanish midfielder with a burning desire to prove himself in England.
Money talks, and tonight it speaks with a Stoke-on-Trent accent. The Potteries club have ripped up their transfer record to land Juan Mayorga from FC Sochaux-Montbéliard for £77.1m, a fee that sends a clear message: Stoke City mean business.
Mayorga, 23, arrives from the French top flight after only six league appearances and a single goal for Sochaux, yet the Spaniards reputation back home is that of a rare talent. A product of the Spanish game, he moved to France two summers ago, but now the Premier League calls. Stoke have spent £100.8m on four players this window, more than any other English top-flight side, and Mayorga is the crown jewel.
For Sochaux, it is another sale in a summer of exits. Alexandru Chiriţă left for Southampton for £40.7m just days ago, and the club have moved quickly to bring in Borko Čolić from VfL Wolfsburg for £3.4m. But losing Mayorga stings; a player of his promise, gone before he truly bloomed in Ligue 1.
Stoke fans will hope Mayorga is the missing piece. The Potters are a club with seven major titles and a proud history, but recent years have demanded fresh blood. Mayorga's dribbling and eye for a pass are made for the noise of a packed bet365 Stadium. "I am ready for this challenge," Mayorga said. "Stoke showed me they believe in me, and I want to repay that faith."
The fee is a statement of intent. In a market where Premier League clubs flex financial muscle, Stoke have thrown their weight around. Mayorga's first task: prove he is worth every penny.