Stoke City have secured the signing of midfielder Ethan Galbraith from Swansea City, with the 25-year-old crediting Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill for his advice on the move. The Potters, currently 17th in the Championship with 55 points from 46 games, are looking to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season after a disappointing run of five consecutive losses, including a 1-0 defeat to SC Braga in their last friendly on July 10, 2026.

What role did Michael O'Neill play in Galbraith's decision?

Galbraith, who has 16 senior caps for Northern Ireland, revealed that O'Neill, who previously managed Stoke, played a significant role in his decision to join the club. 'He's been massive for me,' Galbraith said, highlighting O'Neill's influence on his career, including giving him his international debut and helping him regain confidence after a dip in form. Galbraith also sought advice from his Northern Ireland teammate Jordan Thompson, who spent five years at Stoke before moving to Preston last summer.

What can Stoke City fans expect from Galbraith?

The midfielder, who has signed a four-year contract, brings experience from his time at Manchester United's academy, as well as loan spells at Doncaster, Salford, and Leyton Orient. Galbraith's move to Swansea last summer saw him gain Championship experience, and he is now set to bolster Stoke's midfield alongside new signings Svante Ingelsson and Djibril Soumare. The Potters are yet to see Galbraith in action, as he was not included in the squad for the recent friendly against Braga, with manager Mark Robins opting to give him more training time before his debut.

What's next for Stoke City?

Stoke City will continue their pre-season preparations with a friendly against Crewe on Saturday, July 18, before heading to a training camp in Austria. The Potters will then face Everton on July 28 and Valencia on August 1, before kicking off their Championship campaign at home to Swansea on August 15. With the club sitting 40 points behind leaders Coventry, Galbraith's arrival is part of a broader effort to improve their fortunes after a challenging season that saw them score 51 goals and concede 56.