MAKSYM: COACH THE KEY TO MY CITY MOVE

Defender Talovierov admits Robins' reputation and Stoke's ambition convinced him to sign up

- Peter Smith

MAKSYM Talovierov admits there was serious interest from other clubs before he committed himself to join Stoke City.

The 25-year-old centre-back has arrived in Stoke this week from Plymouth Argyle and is expected to be involved in today’s first friendly of preseason - behind closed doors against Shrewsbury Town at Clayton Wood.

He had only spent half-a-season in the Championship but had done enough to make sure he was very much in demand this summer - and he has explained how Mark Robins helped convince him his future lay at the bet365 Stadium.

“There were offers, and there was serious interest from certain clubs,” he said. “I think I'll tell you some of them in future interviews, let some time pass.

“First of all, the head coach Mark Robins (is what got me interested in Stoke), his ambitions and coaching staff. For me, the most important thing was how the coach and the club see my development, where the club aspires to perform, where they aspire to get to in the coming seasons.