The deal to sell Joe Bursik back in January 2023 made sure that Stoke City wouldn’t face Financial Fair Play sanctionsI

Joe Bursik is sure he has learnt a lot from a tough couple of years in his playing career through changes of managers, clubs and injury.

Bursik, aged 23, is moving to Scotland to join Hibernian on a season-long loan from Club Brugge hoping to pull the gloves back on in anger after a frustrating lack of game time since he started the 2022/23 season as Stoke City’s number one.

His form out on loan and thrown in as an emergency during an injury crisis had earned him the first team spot at a young age and it was a tough gig at times. Michael O’Neill had seen his development as important for the club’s long-term benefit but he was pushed down the pecking order by Alex Neil and a six-figure sale in January 2023 – not the mega-money deal that had once been the dream – still made sure that Stoke avoided Financial Fair Play sanctions.