Stoke Linked With Hirst
Friday, 31st Jul 2026 14:27

Championship Stoke City are reported to be eyeing a move for Blues striker George Hirst.

The Scotland international has played a big part in Town’s three promotions in four years having joined from Leicester, initially on loan, midway through the 2022/23 League One campaign. The deal was made permanent for £1.5 million that summer.

According to The Scottish Sun, the Potters are targeting Hirst as they look to add to their fire power having had three offers for Daniel Karlsbakk rebuffed by Norwegian side Sarpsborg.

The Blues have brought in record signing Emersonn this summer, while manager Gary O’Neil has been impressed by Chuba Akpom during pre-season.

But Town are unlikely to consider allowing Hirst to move on without another experienced striker having been recruited and we understand there has been no approach from Stoke up to now.

However, if the Blues add to their attacking ranks and Hirst’s first-team opportunities look more limited for the season ahead, then a switch to a Championship club would appear to make sense to all parties.

The 27-year-old, the son of Sheffield Wednesday legend David, is contracted to Town until the summer of 2029.

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churchmans81 added 16:39 - Jul 31 Does he want a lift?
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SpiritOfJohn added 16:54 - Jul 31 Why all the insults for a player who has always given 100% and has never complained about being sidelined by the primadonna Delap? Ok he is no Paul Mariner, but he can be a handful if played the right pass.
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leagueonescum added 17:05 - Jul 31 Get Delap.
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wellhungphil added 17:12 - Jul 31 Whatever happens with George Hirst, we'll always have that fantastic goal against Barnsley to remember him fondly for. I wish him the best of luck wherever he goes!
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oldelsworthyfan added 17:19 - Jul 31 George Hirst is underrated, a team player, not a prima donna and would do better as part of two up front, instead of being isolated with no one to feed off him. He hardly had a great service either! Such is the life of a striker these days against a well organised defence.
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Jazzy71 added 17:29 - Jul 31 Hirst has served us well, but if we have another forward coming in it's time to go. Could we do a triple deal with stoke, Hirst, al hamadi and harry Clarke., would be good for everyone
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jon_talbot56 added 17:30 - Jul 31 Best thing l have heard all day. You can tell how poor he is- he’s part of Scotland’s set up.
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bluesince76 added 17:38 - Jul 31 Not prem level player championship at best need another top striker and if we could get patrick berg for midfield he would be a good signing.
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Saxonblue74 added 18:01 - Jul 31 I'd have no problem with this. When Delap left Hirst looked a more than capable replacement, but has gone downhill since imo.
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armchaircritic59 added 18:05 - Jul 31

I gave up going on about Akpom in some posts after a while in here last season, and just ended up going along with the general view. However my last words on him as far as this goes are as follows.

First of all, if we signed him purely on the basis of what he achieved at Boro 2 seasons before he came here, in my opinion that was a big mistake, it was never likely to be repeated. However I'm pretty sure he'd have done a good bit better than what he did if he'd been playing in a system that suited him and in a role that suited him ( as at Boro ). We pretty much did neither, so what happened shouldn't have been a big surprise and was far from all down to him.

It will be interesting to see what G O'N can get out of him. There could be a bit of a surprise around the corner, or he may have reached his ceiling. We'll find out before too long.

armchaircritic59 added 18:11 - Jul 31

Oh and my take on the article, there's 50 times more rumours, eyeing ups, denials and lord knows what else at the moment than anything else. Much better to wait for " actuals ". If it happens, I think it would be a good move for George. In my opinion he doesn't quite have what it takes at the top level ( though did pretty well when covering for/replacing Delap last time ). That however was 2 seasons ago. He'd still do a very decent job for someone in the Championship. And if by chance he does stay here and goes on to prove me wrong, well I'm not afraid to be wrong ( it's a game of opinions ) and I'll quickly put my hand up and say well done.

sohamblue74 added 18:29 - Jul 31 It's what he does!
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ChrisR added 18:52 - Jul 31 We are scratching around , short of Goalscorers and Midfield Players . It feels a bit desperate and messy presently , unproven Brazilian , Akpom and the hopeless Ali , is that the best we have ? I fear the worst ,not helped by over tall unproven keepers.
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ernie added 18:53 - Jul 31 Get rid sadly. Not the player he was 2-3 years ago. But been a good servant.
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algarvefan added 18:53 - Jul 31

I must admit I was impressed by Akpom against Osasuna this week, he looked fit and closed down well and he scored. He was also seen back helping out the defence when needed.

If I had to choose between him and Hirst I would pick Akpom, yes he was awful last season but I think he came to us unfit, maybe he will surprise us all this season, stranger things have happened.

Bert added 19:03 - Jul 31

Hirst has had some very good games for the club but not often enough to be considered in a PL team. I fondly remember his games away at Peterborough and Barnsley but it is time for him to move on and play regularly. I do think we will see what Akpom has to offer so hope he is retained. We still need another striker and I would be happy with Encisco and two more midfielder players; one as a defensive player and the other able to play out and attack. Interesting that a number of podcasters are having the relegated teams as Coventry, Hull and Fulham or Forest. I would take that !

RetroBlue added 19:13 - Jul 31 If this kind of story is surfacing now, id say it means we are feeling confident of bringing in a new striker...
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tractorboybig added 20:16 - Jul 31 Akpom given a squad number? Relegation here we come
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Portman_Pie added 23:21 - Jul 31

Certain Dick heads on here seem to think Akpom is going to be the prem top scorer this season. Thick little counts on here - obviously.

His favourite action is to ‘flop’ over when he was breathed on in the championship when he came on and did absolutely f’all last season. Another cultured cf who is literally playing for a free kick rather than playing football. Yet all you d’heads on here suddenly think he’s the answer to our prayers after one game at Col.U.

Funny…

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RetroBlue added 06:28 - Aug 1 I dont think Hirst has ever really regained his mojo since he ruptured his hamstring ( a serious injury that will affect running and kicking).... He isn't PL level, but then a good number of our sqyad aren't. So no point singling out Hirst. Be assured the Club is fully aware of the squad shortcomings and Rone wasnt built in day, as they say.
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Monkey_Blue added 07:55 - Aug 1

The willingness to jettison Hirst by people on here is depressing. He didn’t have the best season last year but his contribution over the McKenna years has been significant and he’s the opposite of Akpom who’s had one stand out season and struggled in most others. At least two strikers will play per game so I doubt even a third choice would not see action in more than half the games. Emersonn is not nailed on to be a success either. He struggled the other night due to lack of service but chances are likely to be slim this season for whoever is up front plus O’Neil has never had free scoring sides. We don’t know Emersonn or Akpom will cope but we know what we will get from Hirst.

oldelsworthyfan added 09:13 - Aug 1 Agreed Monkey Blue. A sensible and pragmatic post. I would be in no hurry to let Hirst go, even though other clubs think a lot more of him than some of our supporters do.
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Ipswichbusiness added 10:39 - Aug 1 I would love Liam Delap to come back, but; 1) Chelsea want £40 million for him and he won’t be in any hurry to agree a cut in his Chelsea salary and 2) Everton, Leeds and Notts Forest are all supposed to be after him.
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