- Stoke City’s number 21 reveals Potteries transfer was a ‘long time coming’
- The 23-year-old arrives knowing just how unpredictable the Championship can be
- Rak-Sakyi believes ST4 is the right place to fulfil his potential
English-orn Ghanaian forward Jesurun Rak-Sakyi is ready to bring excitement to ST4 after joining the Potters from Crystal Palace on loan until the end of the season.
The 23-year-old explained why – with the help of a fellow City teammate – he knew from the outset that the Potteries was the right destination.
“It’s been a long time coming. Once I heard of the interest, I was very excited to get it over the line,” Rak-Sakyi said in an interview with stokecityfc.com.
“From my initial conversation with the club, I knew this move would be the best for my development.
“They spoke about the project for the future and how they see me fitting into the squad, so I can’t wait meet everyone and get started.
“Bosun [Lawal] had been messaging me before joining. He’s a great guy and spoke highly of the club and how lovely the people are in and around the squad.
“I’m just grateful to be able to play at such a big club with such high ambitions and to be given a platform to showcase what I can do.”
Rak-Sakyi arrives with City five points adrift of the Championship’s top six and, after spending last term on loan at play-off runners-up Sheffield United, he knows just how unpredictable the division can be.
“In the Championship, it’s never over ‘til it’s over. You could be at the top, but it doesn’t mean that you are going to stay there,” he added.
“Every game you have to fight, you have to put in 100%, because the league is so unpredictable.
“The squad is in a good position at the moment, but I know the guys are striving for more and I’m sure that we’ll be able to start to move up the table in the coming games.
“It’s a good group of lads, and I’m looking forward to getting to know each and every one of them.”
Fifteen of the Potters’ goals this season have come from the attacking flanks, led by Sorba Thomas’ nine in all competitions, a statistic that excites City’s new number 21.
“The team is aggressive and likes to press and win the ball high up,” Rak-Sakyi continued.
“The wide players get a lot of chances to take on their man one-vs-one and are able to play with a bit of freedom, which is the type of football I’m used to.
“I hope to bring excitement to the bet365 Stadium. I like to get on the ball and make things happen; to create for my teammates but also score goals myself.
“As attackers, our aim is to provide goals and assists, and if I want to be the best version of myself, that’s something I need to achieve.”
The forward kicked off the 25/26 campaign in Turkey with Süper Lig side Çaykur Rizespor, where he contributed to five goals in eleven games.
Rak-Sakyi credits his time oversees with both furthering his development and moulding him into the player he is today.
“Being away from home is something I was not used to when growing up, so moving to another country and living alone helped me grow and understand a lot about myself,” he continued.
“The Süper Lig is a physical division, and I was able to learn from different people about how to carry myself and how to react around different environments, which has definitely been beneficial for my development.
“That experience, as well as last year with Sheffield United, has now shaped me into the man I am today.”
With 16 games left in the Championship season, and an FA Cup fourth round clash against Fulham to look ahead to, Rak-Sakyi believes he is now in the right place to reach his true potential.
“I’ve been happy with where my career has taken me so far,” Rak-Sakyi concluded.
“I’ve got to where I am today through hard work and application. Whether it be listening to my coaches on how I can improve, analysing my own game or just having that mindset of trying to help the team as much as I can.
“I know a lot of people have their own journey and I’ve been through my own with a lot of ups and downs.
“My family, my loved ones, my friends, the people who’ve been with me from the beginning, they have driven me to succeed. They’ve put in a lot of time and effort to help me get here, so it’s only right that I do my best to repay them.
“I know the potential that I have and with the support system that I have around me and the right club like Stoke City, I know I can reach that potential.”
