Stoke agree deal with Ipswich for George Hirst ahead of medical

Stoke City have reached an agreement with Ipswich Town for the permanent signing of striker George Hirst, with the 27-year-old expected to undergo a medical before completing the move.

The deal is understood to be worth an initial fee of around £6 million, while performance-related add-ons could take the overall package to approximately £10 million. The transfer has not yet been formally announced by either club and remains subject to the usual medical and contractual formalities.

Hirst is set to leave Ipswich after establishing himself as an important attacking option during his time at Portman Road. He scored 11 goals last season and contributed to a campaign that ended with Ipswich securing promotion back to the Premier League.

The Scotland international has made more than 100 appearances for Ipswich since initially joining the club, scoring 23 goals across all competitions. His combination of physical presence, movement in the penalty area and experience at Championship level has made him an attractive option for Stoke as they look to strengthen their forward line.

For Stoke, the agreement represents a significant investment in a proven second-tier striker ahead of the new Championship season. The structure of the deal also means a substantial part of the final fee will depend on add-ons being triggered after the transfer is completed.

Ipswich, meanwhile, are preparing for life without a player who has played a prominent role in their attack over recent seasons. The potential £10 million total package would provide the club with further flexibility as they continue shaping their squad following promotion.

With a club-to-club agreement now in place, Hirst’s medical is the next major step before the transfer can be finalised. Until those checks and the remaining paperwork are completed, the move should be regarded as agreed in principle rather than officially complete.