The Potters have been chasing the 16-year-old for some time, with the talented defender declaring back in November that a deal was close. It has taken some time for the finer details of a switch to be put in place, but the youngster will now join Stoke's academy ranks over the summer. Suljevic, who took in a trial at the Britannia Stadium last year, will arrive having already turned out professionally for Dalkurd FF. The Potters are pleased to have snapped up a player of such promise and are confident he will prove to be a shrewd acquisition for the future. Academy manager David Wright told the club's official website: "We are delighted to bring Smajl here to the football club, because we feel he is a player with huge potential. "He is a player we have liked for a long time now, and he left a huge impression on us whilst he was here on trial last year. "We have worked heavily as a team to bring him here because a lot of work goes into bringing youngsters over from another country, including the education side of things, relocating them etc, so it isn't an easy process." Suljevic has also expressed his delight at finalising a deal, with it having been an ambition of his to play in England for some time. He said: "I'm very, very happy to be here today and to sign the agreement. "It has always been a dream of mine to play in one of the top leagues in Europe and now I have that opportunity. "From the very first moment I stepped into the place I knew I wanted to be part of it. The facilities are unbelievable here and I am looking forward to working with all of the coaches and players here in pre-season."
