Milan Smit has acknowledged there are question marks over his immediate situation after Stoke City loaned him out just six weeks after making his £4.8m move permanent. The 23-year-old forward, however, insists he made a good choice in joining the Potters and expects to return to the club after his season with SV Darmstadt.
Stoke City completed the permanent signing of Smit in the winter transfer window, tying him to a contract that runs until 2030. His subsequent loan to the German second-tier side so soon after arriving raised eyebrows among supporters. Smit made 14 appearances for Stoke in the second half of last season, scoring two goals and providing one assist.
Loan spell and performances
He has continued to find the net during his loan, scoring in consecutive league games for Darmstadt and netting in a DFB-Pokal win. Despite this, Smit admitted the move came as a surprise and that there are uncertainties surrounding everything at his temporary club. He stated his intention is to participate in pre-season training with Stoke again once the current campaign concludes. The forward elaborated on his feelings, stating he was not expecting the loan move and that the situation at Darmstadt is not entirely clear, but he remains focused on performing well. He has started several matches for the Bundesliga 2 side and is adapting to a new league and style of play.
Current context at Stoke
While Smit is away, Stoke City have begun the Championship season strongly under manager Mark Robins. They sit seventh in the table with 13 points from eight games, enjoying a run of four wins and a draw from their last five matches. The team's next challenge is an away trip to face 15th-placed Bolton on 10 October. Fans can track the upcoming schedule on the club's fixtures page and view the full squad, including Smit's profile, on the squad list.
George Hirst has one goal in seven league appearances this term, while Sam Gallagher, who scored in the recent 2-1 win over Sheffield United, has two. Smit's eventual return will add another option to an attack that has already scored 13 league goals. The club's current standing and positive form provide a solid platform for his planned reintegration next summer. Manager Mark Robins has previously spoken about the long-term plan for Smit, indicating the loan was designed for regular playing time to aid his development. The club's sporting director also confirmed that Smit remains a part of Stoke's future plans, with the expectation he will compete for a first-team place upon his return from Germany.
The original report is at The72 - Football League News
