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Stoke City have been told to sign West Bromwich Albion midfielder John Swift when his contract at The Hawthorns expires at the end of the season to add some nous to their ranks ahead of next term.
Swift has been a regular in the second tier for years now but looks set to leave the Baggies in a few months’ time for a new challenge at 30 years old.
An attacking midfielder by trade, he began his professional career at Chelsea, then moved permanently to Reading in 2016 following loan spells with Rotherham United, Swindon Town and Brentford.
He was a key man for the Royals and became one of the most notable players in his position across six seasons in the Championship before a move to West Brom in 2022. Swift has since featured over 115 times for the club, while moving to a deeper role in the middle of the park, but has struggled to nail down a starting position this season.
Stoke fan pundit identifies John Swift as potential free signing this summer
john swift
Swift’s best season with the Baggies so far was his first at the club, as he missed just one league game all campaign and registered six goals and nine assists from those 45 appearances.
His influence waned somewhat in the second-half of last season, but he still ended 2023/24 with nine goals and one assist from 37 outings. The 29-year-old has become increasingly less important to the Albion over the last 12 months and has only started 14 times in the Championship this term, with the likes of Alex Mowatt and Isaac Price preferred in midfield.
