‘We’re going up’, ‘Always liked him’ – These Stoke fans react to transfer development

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Just 24 hours after he departed Derby County, veteran defender Phil Jagielka has found himself a new Championship club in Stoke City.

Jagielka, who amassed 40 caps for England earlier in his career, signed for the Rams earlier this season after departing Sheffield United for the second time during the summer.

Perhaps unexpectedly, Jagielka formed a part of the Championship’s fourth best defence up until this point of the season, forming a solid partnership with another experienced centre-back in Curtis Davies at Pride Park.

That has been split up though but through no fault of his own – the 39-year-old had agreed terms to extend his deal at County but it was blocked by the EFL due to the league needing proof of funds from the club’s administrators Quantuma.

Until that is provided then Derby cannot process any new signings or fresh contracts for current players, and with Jagielka’s deal expiring on Monday an agreement was made to terminate it a few days early.

And with young Harry Souttar out injured for the rest of the season, the Potters were happy to take Jagielka until the end of the current campaign in a bid to add more quality and experience to a somewhat shaky back-line in recent times.

Stoke fans have been reacting to Jagielka’s arrival and after glowing reports from Rams’ fans it appears that the general consensus is a positive one.

Think this could be a smart bit of business! https://t.co/PeMrzwiQlw

— Jon Owen (@Jon19861) January 15, 2022

Brilliant signing. https://t.co/29DaC8XNzU

— SCR (@tcStoke) January 15, 2022

Club legend returning home to see out his career, tears https://t.co/R3fInAckW2

— Curtis (@CurtisSCFC) January 15, 2022

Great signing imo. Experienced and will get our defence back in shape. Welcome Phil Jagielka 🔴⚪🔴⚪ https://t.co/YXl3wJPTq9

— Pownzzz (@Pownzzz98) January 15, 2022

Welcome Jags. Solid signing https://t.co/kcw0sOIGJc

— James (@JPreeceSCFC) January 15, 2022

Good signing that.. will allow us to play out from the back again https://t.co/Y1iBpNoPEB

— Jared (@jaredhealey) January 15, 2022

Im genuinely excited about this signing. https://t.co/uaoIH4cP9c

— Waznt (@Waznt3) January 15, 2022

We’re going up. https://t.co/ymuXutyfDX

— ⛷ (@stokaljona) January 15, 2022

I’m a big big fan off this https://t.co/U7BtVcTcPT

— Seb (@ScfcSeb) January 15, 2022

Actually pretty pleased with this. Now can I drive James Chester to the airport please?

— Adam ⚽️ (@SCFCkirky) January 15, 2022

Not a huge fan of this one but will always back a new signing, welcome phil mate 🔴⚪

— ³⁷ (@tzsznn) January 15, 2022

Fairs, always liked him, wanted to sign him 7 years ago, the age thing puts me off a bit but will back him 👍

— Tom 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (@StokeTom__) January 15, 2022

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