DONE DEAL: Stoke City attack transformed as Lamine Cisse seals deal as contract terms revealed amid booked medical
France youth international Lamine Cisse has become the latest summer addition in a much-changed forward line for Stoke City.
Stoke only scored 45 times in 46 Championship matches last season and it has clearly been a priority to try to resolve that issue over the last couple of months.
Out have gone loanees Ali Al-Hamadi and Lewis Koumas plus fringe man Niall Ennis, while Ryan Mmaee and Andre Vidigal are hovering by the exit door. Young prospects Nathan Lowe and Emre Tezgel have been let out on loan in the next stage of their development.
In have come winger Sorba Thomas, centre-forwards Robert Bozenik and Divin Mubama and attacking midfielder Jamie Donley. Million Manhoef and Bae Junho remain with hope that they can eek out more of their potential and Sam Gallagher, with hope he can get and stay fit.
Cisse, aged 22, is the next piece in the puzzle. Not many Stoke supporters will have seen much of him but he is described as “quick, direct and agile” by Jon Walters and has a decent record of making things happen, which hasn’t necessarily been the case with recent Stoke forwards. He was involved in 14 goals – nine goals and five assists – from 25 starts and six sub appearances in Ligue 2, plus two goals in three starts in the Coupe de France. It worked out as a goal or assist every 148 minutes.
He helped France reach the semi-finals in the 2022 UEFA under-19 European Championships and has won five under-20 caps too, although former club Nancy refused to sanction him playing at the under-20s World Cup in 2023 where Junho caught the eye with South Korea.
It sounds like he has enjoyed his 12 months at Bastia, in Corsica, but hopes he can kick on with a move to England. Stoke announced the switch as an undisclosed fee but Bastia released it as €2.5 million with a further potential €1m in add-ons. He has been on plenty of transfer radars but a lot of France domestic football seems to be in a bit of a financial hole.
Cisse, who is currently recovering from a minor shoulder injury, signed off with a message to Bastia fans, writing on social media: “Dear Supporters. After an intense and emotional season, it is time for me to leave SC Bastia to start a new stage in my career.
“Thank you to my teammates, the staff and all the club staff for their trust and support on a daily basis.
“And, thank you, supporters, for your unforgettable passion and fervour. Playing in front of you at Stade Armand-Cesari will remain a memory engraved forever.”
Now he is tasked with making more memories.
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