Stoke City reward Harambee Stars defender with new contract, loan him out
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 08.07.26. | 20:14
The 18-year-old made an assist in his national debut against Lesotho last month
Harambee Stars defender Sydney Agina has joined English National League side Forest Green Rovers on loan, after securing a new contract with parent club Stoke City.
Agina, 18, on Tuesday, 7 July agreed on a long-term contract with Championship side Stoke City, extending his stay for an extra two years till June 2028.
Also as part of the agreement, the budding right-back earned a loan move to Rovers, where he will look to add to his senior experience until 3 January next year.
The two-way deal comes at a time when Agina has been making strides in first team football.
Having joined The Potters at the age of eight, the teenager born in the United Kingdom to Kenyan parents made a big leap in his career progression last season, when he made five Championship appearances for Stoke City at the conclusion of the 2025-2026 campaign.
In addition to that, Agina landed his first call-up to Kenya’s national team - Harambee Stars - and made his debut in the side’s second friendly against Lesotho on 7 June, when he came off the bench to register an assist in a comfortable 4-0 victory.
Speaking to the club website, Stoke City’s Sporting Director Jonathan Walters said: “It has been a really positive few months for Syd [Agina] after he made his first team debut, and won his first international cap in the summer.
“We have spoken with him and, collectively, we believe further exposure to first team football at a good level, on a consistent basis, is the logical next step for him to take. We wish him well at Forest Green Rovers, and look forward to seeing his continued development this season.”
At Rovers, Agina will get to work under former Blackburn Rovers player Robbie Savage, as they work towards earning promotion from the fifth-tier.
“Sydney is a real talent! I’m delighted to bring him to The New Lawn,” Savage, who also had a spell at Manchester United as a player, said. “He had options to play at higher level, but because we utilise the loan system so well and develop players the right way, clubs like Stoke trust us with their talented young players. He’ll add even more quality to the RB position, along with Tre [Pemberton] who we already know is a fantastic player.”
Straight from the off, Agina was on Tuesday, 7 July handed his debut for Rovers, coming on as a half-time substitute in their 3-1 friendly win over Bishop’s Cleeve FC.
©Forest Green Rovers