WALES international Rabbi Matondo has vowed to help Stoke City’s promotion push after joining the Potters on loan.
The 20-year-old became Michael O’Neill’s first capture of the January transfer window after agreeing to join from Bundesliga side FC Schalke 04 on loan until the end of this season.
Rabbi Matondo has joined Stoke from Schalke on loan until the summerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Matondo, who has seven Wales caps, has featured 30 times in the German top flight since making the switch from Manchester City in 2019.
Matondo said: “I’m delighted to sign for Stoke City until the end of the season and am looking forward to it. I’ve come here to help the lads in every possible way I can.
“As an attacking player, hopefully I can add some goals and assists to try and help the team make the promotion spots.”
Matondo is expected to make his debut in Saturday’s FA Cup clash at home to Leicester City.
The former Man City youngster played just three times for Schalke this season.
And their new boss Christian Gross, who replaced ex-Huddersfield man David Wagner last month, was happy to let Matondo go.
But a move to Stoke may not have been what Matondo was expecting after being strongly linked with Manchester United in 2020.
His impressive performances a year ago saw him reportedly emerge as a target for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who saw Matondo as a cheaper alternative to Borussia Dortmund’s £108m-rated Jadon Sancho.
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At the time, Matondo said: “I am concentrating on Schalke, I still have to achieve my goals here.
“I am just concentrating on that and we just see how things go, but for now I am just focused on Schalke.
“Hopefully I can get into the team and help them climb up the table.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
