Stoke defender takes ex-Barca pal under wing

 

Stoke City defender Marc Muniesa has promised to help newbie Bojan Krkic settle into life at the Potters following the midfielder’s confirmation of a four-year move yesterday.

Muniesa, 22 and Bojan, 23, are former Barcelona team mates having both served training and development with the youth team at Camp Nou along with features in the B and senior squads.

The two Spaniards were reunited last night when Bojan left Catalan to join the Stoke squad for their pre-season training and fixtures, which are currently being held in Germany.

Bojan, who has signed for an undisclosed fee (believed to be around £3m), will be in good company with his ex-Barca comrade who reassured him that life at Stoke under manager Mark Hughes was good.

Muniesa told local newspaper Stoke Sentinel: “I have spoken with him (Bojan), I said everything is OK here. The team mates, training and football.”

First team coach Hughes originally hoped to secure the midfielder on a season-long loan deal and believes he has really struck it lucky by landing him on a four-year permanent arrangement.

The Welshman views his latest signing a very exciting prospect owing to his experience gained and credibility achieved as a result of playing for title-winning sides in Europe – La Liga giants Barcelona and Dutch Erdivisie heavyweights Ajax – who he spent last season on loan to.

After putting pen to paper with the player yesterday, he told reporters: “Anyone who knows European football will be aware of him as a player and the fact that he sees his future at Stoke City is really exciting.”