Berahino: Hughes the key behind Stoke move

After sealing a long overdue move away from West Bromwich Albion, Saido Berahino admits Mark Hughes’ impressive personality was the key factor in his decision to join Stoke City.

Berahino has struggled for any sort of form since interest from Tottenham unsettled the former England Under-21 player at the Hawthorns in August 2015.

More than a year later and he has finally left Tony Pulis’ outfit, with the Potteries his destination of choice.

And the 23-year-old said Hughes could provide much needed guidance to his faltering career.

(Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

“I had spoken to the manager on several occasions to be honest and I was always hugely impressed by him, and what he had to say,” he said.

“For me, he isn’t only a top manager he is also a really good guy too, who genuinely feels he can help me to develop into the player I know I can be.

“The last few years have been incredibly difficult for me, and at this stage of my career I really felt that I needed some guidance.

“I believe the gaffer is the perfect person to give me that, and of course he was one of the big reasons why I wanted this move to happen so much.

“Everybody in this room knows what a top class striker he was, and I want to learn from him – I have already benefitted from him in training and am so excited to continue learning from him.”