‘Perfect place’: £2m Portsmouth target Luke Graham lifts lid on Stoke City switch after Fratton Park snub
Stoke City have announced the arrival of Pompey target Luke Graham in a £2m move.
Luke Graham insists Stoke City is ‘the perfect place’ to further his career after snubbing Pompey for their Championship rivals.
And the in-demand 22-year-old has explained the key details behind his move to the bet365 Stadium.
The transfer saga, which spanned more than seven months, reached its conclusion on Thursday, with the highly-rated centre-back completing a £2m switch to the Potters.
Pompey had a £1.5m bid rejected by Dundee for Graham’s services in January, before reigniting their interest earlier this summer.
There was plenty of competition in the Scotland youth international’s services, though, with as many as 43 clubs from across England, Scotland and on the continent tracking him ahead of the window.
John Mousinho’s men remained promptly in the race, with the Blues and Stoke both agreeing a fee with Dundee earlier this week after the Scottish Premiership side held firm on their valuation for the academy graduate.
But Graham opted to join Mark Robins’ big-spenders after talks, in a £2m deal which also includes add ons.
The decision ultimately came down to a head-to-head between the two clubs, with the centre-back having since explained his call following his big-money move.
Why Luke Graham snubbed Pompey for Stoke
The defender lifted the lid on Stoke’s interest before detailing why the bet365 Stadium was the ‘perfect place’ to further his development.
Speaking to the club’s media on arrival, Graham said: ‘I feel very privileged to be a Stoke City player.
‘I’ve known of the interest for a little while now and to get it over the line is amazing.
‘I felt like this was the perfect place for the next step in my career and, having seen a few big signings arrive already, I just want to add to that.
‘It feels like a club back on the up, one that wants to get to the Premier League, where it belongs.
‘I have spoken to Ryan [Shawcross] already and I can’t wait to work with him. It was a big part in me coming here knowing the coaches are perfect to take my game to the next level.
‘It’s ideal to be in early in pre-season to give myself the best chance to hit the ground running and every opportunity to play as many games as I can this season.
‘I’m fit, ready to go and can’t wait to get started.’
Pompey’s chase in Luke Graham
Mousinho was looking to bolster his central defensive ranks in January, with Graham viewed as the ideal option.
The Blues worked hard in the January window to secure the Dens Park academy graduate and had a bid, starting at £1.5m, rejected by Dundee, whose valuation sky-rocketed as the market headed towards its conclusion.
As many as 43 clubs from across the globe had registered an interest in Graham, with the race simply boiling down to the Blues and Championship rivals Stoke.
The centre-back has since penned a four-year deal at the bet365 Stadium and joins £10m signing Ethan Galbraith, ex-Pompey target Svante Ingelsson, former Fratton loanee Josh Griffiths and Djibril Soumare in making the switch to the Potters this summer.