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Josh Griffiths on leaving West Brom and relationship with Viktor Johansson as he starts new life at Stoke City The new Stoke City goalkeeper talks through a summer of change Josh Griffiths hasn’t taken too long to get used to home being Stoke City. The new keeper, aged 24, had spent 14 years on the books at West Bromwich Albion, where he made 45 appearances, went out on four loans and represented England as they won the under-21s European Championship in 2023. He moved up the M6 at the start of this summer, identified by coach Darren Behcet as someone who he could nurture towards their potential. He has joined a competitive department headed by number one Viktor Johansson and he’s enjoying his new surroundings. “I was at Albion since I was a kid really,” he said. “I’ve been on a few loans which has been similar in terms of moving into a new environment but you’ve always had that safety net of going back to your parent club. Now it’s a bit of a leap of faith coming somewhere completely new. FOLLOW OUR FACEBOOK PAGE! Latest Stoke City news, analysis and more via the Sentinel “There was excitement to come and try something different and everyone from staff and players have made it so easy to settle in. I was never worried really. It’s been really easy. “It’s been really good, I’ve been here for three or four weeks and it’s been really positive. We feel like we’re in a good place. I can’t speak highly enough of everyone so far.” Behcet has a reputation on the keeper circuit as a coach who likes to innovate and get the best of those he works with. Griffiths said: “It was a massive pull of coming here, as well as the club – which speaks for itself and the ambition of where we want to get to. “Daz’s track record is obviously great with Mike Cooper and obviously Vik. When he makes it clear that I was the person he wants to work with and sees me progressing, it can do a lot for you as a person and your confidence. I’ve only got really good things to say about him. “I can see already why he’s so highly rated. His details second to none in terms of watching games back and even in training we’ve got cameras behind the goals looking at everything. There are things that I’ve never seen before which he has embraced. He tweaks things and tries to make me one per cent better each day. It’s been really good.” Every day at Clayton Wood, too, Griffiths can see the Johansson-shaped obstacle between himself and the match day gloves. He said: “I knew about the goalkeeper department before I signed. Daz has been really good as expected and I met Vik last week and he’s been brilliant. We’ve got a great relationship already. It should be really positive for both of us. We’ve also got Frankie (Fielding), True (Grant) and Caleb (Clothier), who came out with us last week, and Tommy (Simkin), who has gone out on loan. “Viktor is obviously a fantastic goalkeeper and he’s someone I’ve rated highly for a long time, since I played against him for Rotherham. Since he’s been at Stoke he’s been fantastic. “It can be a difficult position (because you can only play one keeper) but it’s just about making sure you’re ready. That’s the role of a number two or someone who wants to get into the team, as of course I do, but I fully understand and respect what Vik’s done and what I think he can go on and do. He’s a fantastic keeper. “I have to be ready for any opportunity and try to take it with both hands and show everyone what I can do.” Grant has left on loan now to continue his development for a year at Halifax Town while Simkin is following up loans at Walsall and Leyton Orient with a season at Doncaster. Johansson had a loan at Alfreton Town to help him make the leap from junior to senior football while Griffiths won promotion at Cheltenham and had time at Bristol Rovers, Portsmouth and Lincoln. He can see the benefit of what his younger clubmates following that path, saying: “It’s massive. A loan is getting out in the real football world and the different pressures that come with being a number one at a club. With each one I feel like I progressed in slightly different ways but all of them were so vital in terms of what I needed at that moment in time. “It was getting games on your CV and it puts you in a great place to get into your mid-20s, which is still quite young for a goalkeeper. Getting that experience early is vital.” What do you think? Click HERE to join the debate