Stoke City close in on signing of Premier League defender | OneFootball

Stoke City are set to sign Wolves defender Ki-Jana Hoever on loan for the rest of the season according to Telegraph reporter John Percy.

Percy broke the news on Twitter suggesting the young defender is set to be the third signing in the week for Alex Neil’s side.

The 21-year-old right-back, who joined Wolves from Liverpool for a fee in the region of £9m in 2020, has just returned from a loan spell at PSV Eindhoven. The Telegraph report that he will undergo a medical at Stoke today and become their latest signing after Wolves keeper Matija Sarkic and Dijon playmaker Bersant Celina.

There was hope that a return to the Netherlands, where he grew up, would give Hoever a chance to kick-start his career but the long-term loan was cut short midway through.

Stoke have been chosen by Wolves with the hope that their style of play and the minutes they will give the youngster will develop him and allow him to fulfil his early promise.

Wolves sporting director confirmed this, saying: “We’ve been able to bring Ki back while they contribute to his wages for the rest of the season and we can pick a new club for him for the second part of the season, based purely on a football reason.

“We can pick the best club who are going to give him good minutes and the right style of football, without any other thoughts needing to come into play.”

Hoever has made 20 appearances for Wolves to date, and made a further five while on loan at PSV this season and will look to hit th ground running at the bet365 Stadium under Neil.

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The Verdict

It’s a signing that needed to happen given Stoke’s lack of options on the right side of their defence.

Not only that, but Hoever offers versatility as well, given his ability to play as a full back, wing-back or as a right sided centre back within a three.

There’s plenty of pedigree and promise, and the loan will give Hoever the chance to show people what he’s capable of, with his move to the West Midlands not paying so far.