Milan Smit: Why He Could Turn This Team’s Promotion Dream into Reality

Milan Smit: The man to help Stoke City earn a shock Promotion?

Stoke City has endured a rollercoaster Championship season so far.

After a number of uneventful years in the bottom half, manager Mark Robins had them flying at the start of this campaign, and they were firmly in the hunt for a potential playoff spot. With players such as Sorba Thomas lighting up England’s second tier in an impressive start which saw them in and around the automatic promotion places at the top of the table.

Despite a poor run of form that saw the Potters slip down the table and a number of key injuries, Robins has once again steadied the ship in recent weeks, with just one defeat from their last five, and has Stoke sitting in 10th and just two points off the top six.

Stoke City sign 22-year-old Dutch striker Milan Smit from Eredivisie club Go Ahead Eagles.

Smit joins on loan until the end of the season with a conditional obligation to buy in the summer. pic.twitter.com/jWUGaxLJFW

— BBC Radio Stoke Sport (@BBCStokeSport) January 25, 2026

And this winter, Stoke have added to their forward options, with 22-year-old Dutch striker Milan Smit signing on loan with an obligation to buy from Go Ahead Eagles. The striker was reportedly the subject of heavy interest from fellow Championship side Blackburn Rovers, but the Potters have won the race for his signature With the question now, is he the man to help Stoke earn an unlikely promotion?

Who is Milan Smit?

Milan Smit is a Dutch centre-forward who came up through the ranks at SC Cambuur, making his Eredivisie debut for Cambuur versus NAC Breda in April 2022 at the age of 19.

A month later, Smit scored his first professional goal, and it came in dramatic circumstances. As the young striker struck a 95th-minute equaliser for Cambuur to rescue a point at home vs RKC Waalwijk. However, he could not help prevent Cambuur’s relegation.

The following season would be Smit’s first full campaign in senior football, and it would prove to be a success, as he would score 19 league goals for Cambuur during the 23/24 season. Smit’s form in the second tier caught the eye of Eredivisie clubs. With Go Ahead Eagles paying just under €1 million to bring Smit back to the Netherlands' top division.

However, Smit would struggle in his opening months at Go Ahead Eagles and didn’t score in his first four months at the club. But that first goal eventually came on 18th January, as he once again came up with a dramatic late goal, winning the game in stoppage time vs FC Groningen.

Despite his slow start to life in Deventer, Smit would be part of a Go Ahead Eagles side that would make history, as the striker scored a penalty in the shootout of the KNCB Cup final vs AZ Alkmaar. With Go Ahead Eagles winning the trophy for the first time in their history, and their first silverware success since 1933.

In total, Smit’s goal return at Go Ahead Eagles hasn’t been the greatest. The striker scored just three times in the league in 22 appearances in his first season; despite it being a hugely memorable season from a team perspective, from an individual point of view, Smit's season was certainly underwhelming.

🇳🇱 Milan Smit’s (22) brace gives @GAEagles their first European win in over 60 years!

Yep, 60 years.

Smit now has 5 goals in his last 4 games, all 5 scored away.

A goal every 56 minutes. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/Mg78sYjWi6

— Football Wonderkids (@fbwonderkids) October 2, 2025

This campaign, however, he has improved, scoring six and assisting two in the Eredivisie in 19 matches, and has impressed on the European stage in the UEFA Europa League, scoring three times in six appearances in Go Ahead Eagles' first European campaign in over 60 years.

What Will Smit Bring to Stoke?

Smit is an old-school type of centre-forward. The Dutchman is a physical presence, standing at 191 cm (6'3"), so he will bring height and physicality to the Stoke forward line and possesses strong striker instincts in the opposition penalty area.

In the Netherlands, Smit is known to be a hard-working player and is happy to put in the effort for his team off the ball. Helping press from the front in order to attempt to win the ball high up or force an opposition player into a mistake, as well as being composed when presented with a chance in front of goal.

Stoke City Sign Dutch Striker Milan Smit On Loan pic.twitter.com/eCdjVZLq8j

— Scott Price24 (@scottscfc) January 25, 2026

However, critics of the striker have noted that whilst he's accomplished at holding the ball up against opponents, his passing can often be weak and intercepted, as well as the fact that he can often struggle with consistent goal-scoring.

Despite these potential drawbacks, Smit is only 22 years old and has plenty of time to improve the areas of his game that are in need of improvement. Potters fans will be hoping that the Dutchman can help his new side earn a spot in the Championship playoffs, and potentially an unlikely place in the top division of English football for next season.