Stoke City forward Emre Tezgel has signed a new two-year deal with the Championship club.
The 19-year-old became Stoke’s youngest first-team player when he made his debut in a 2-0 FA Cup win over Leyton Orient in January 2022 at the age of 16.
He scored twice in 17 appearances for the Potters last season, both in EFL Cup games, and last played for the first team in the 2-0 Championship defeat by Bristol City in February before spending the rest of the campaign in the club’s under-21 side.
“I’ve been here my whole life, I feel like it’s my club,” Tezgel told BBC Radio Stoke.
“I’ve sat down and spoken with staff here and they’ve made a plan for me and I think it’s clear I just need to play football, whether that’s here or elsewhere (on loan).
“I need to get the experience and grow as a player and this is the right place.”
Following his senior debut against Orient in 2022, he also came on as a substitute in Stoke’s fourth-round tie that season and then played four times in the 2022-23 campaign, all off the bench.
Tezgel spent the second half of the following season in League Two on loan at MK Dons where he found the net three times in 17 appearances.
The Potters academy graduate now wants to improve his physicality and speed and adapt to the demands of the Championship so he can nail down a regular place.
“I’ve not had a great three years if I’m honest,” he added.
“I’ve had three long-term injuries and I’ve always wanted to do better.
“I don’t think people have seen enough of me yet so I need to show what I can do, and hopefully do it soon.”
