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Stoke City striker completes loan move on eve of Championship season opener The Dutch forward will be playing his football elsewhere next season. Milan Smit has completed a season-long loan move from Stoke City to 2. Bundesliga side Darmstadt 98, the Potters have confirmed. The Dutch striker will join up with his new teammates in time for their trip to Dynamo Dresden on Sunday. Smit joined Stoke from Go Ahead Eagles in May 2026, following a five-month loan period, which included an obligation to buy. But the 23-year-old is already on the move again. Speaking about the loan deal, Sporting Director Jonathan Walters said: “We all know Milan’s opportunities have been limited and, following conversations with him and his representatives, we agreed this move allows him to play regularly in a competitive division." “We will follow Milan’s progress closely and wish him the very best for his time in Germany.” Smit has scored two goals for Stoke in 13 appearances. He shot to prominence after scoring 24 goals for Eerste Divisie side Cambuur in the 2023-24 season before going on to win the KNVB Cup with Go Ahead Eagles in 2025. FOLLOW OUR FACEBOOK PAGE! Latest Stoke City news, analysis and more via the Sentinel Meanwhile, Mark Robins is preparing his side to face Swansea City in the opening weekend of the Championship season at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday.