‘I have a little bit of magic!’ | Introducing Sead Hakšabanović

Hear from Montenegro international Sead Haksabanovic, as the 24-year-old swaps Scotland for Stoke for the 2023/24 season.

Manager Alex Neil and Head of Recruitment Jared Dublin also discuss the reasons behind signing the forward.

The wingeer has departed Celtic and his new boss is pleased to have him around.

According to Alex Neil, a new signing Sead Haksabanovic’s Celtic experience will help him deal with the pressure of winning at Stoke City.

The Potters have not returned to the Premier League since their relegation in 2018 ended a 10-year run, but under their Scottish manager, the club’s new winger signing intends to do so. Haksabanovic’s departure from the Premiership champions was clouded by a cryptic social media statement in which he stated, “If they don’t see your value, maybe you’re not at the right place.”

He’s currently on a season-long loan to the English Championship, and Neil tells the club’s YouTube page that the Montenegro international’s big-game experience in Scotland will be invaluable, since the Potters’ victory requirements are just as high. “When you play at a club like Stoke or certainly Celtic, there is a demand on you to try and win games,” the former Hamilton manager stated.

“However, there is a demand on how you do it as well.” We want to get him in the final third areas where he can contribute. He understands what high-level football entails.”

Meanwhile, Haksabanovic thinks that he thrived in the Glasgow pressure cooker and that he should be able to manage Stoke. “I came from a club with one of the largest fan bases in the world,” he added. If you can do it there, you can certainly do it here. When I was younger, I was a little hesitant and stuff like that when I first joined a new club, but today I am more open and integrated into the team than I was before. I just want to be here and play, and perhaps return it to its rightful place.”