Stoke City striker Milan Smit says he is looking forward to playing in the Premier League with the Championship play-off hopefuls.
Striker Milan Smit says he joined Stoke City to play in the Premier League and to become a more "complete" player.
The Dutch forward, 22, moved to the Potters in the January transfer window on an initial loan deal until the end of the season from Go Ahead Eagles.
He has played twice so far, lasting 90 minutes on his debut against Southampton and the first half of the goalless draw against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
And Smit told BBC Radio Stoke, he has already noticed the different demands of playing in England.
"After 30 minutes against Southampton I thought 'wow we've only played 30 minutes', so you have to get used to it," he said.
"You get tired and you have to learn how to look after your body and recover in time for the next game.
"I'm learning a lot. It's totally different here in England - the intensity level is much higher than in Holland and I want to develop myself more here as a complete player and striker."
Smit said it was a "pretty easy" decision to sign for Stoke, despite the lure of playing in Europe with his old club, who were competing in the Europa League after winning the KNVB Cup last season.
"It was a like a one-season thing to play in the Europa [League] and I always said I wanted to play in England," Smit said.
"Stoke were interested and you need to listen to that.
"I knew the ambitions of the club and their plan with me so I said to my agent 'yeah I want to go'. It was pretty easy.
"They have a big history in the Premier League and I'm really proud to play here.
"They said they wanted to go to the Premier League again - that's the ambition - and I'm really looking forward to playing in the Premier League with this club."
Smit said he was also keen not to put too much pressure on himself when it comes to scoring his first goal.
"I haven't got a really big chance so far and you have to be patient," he added.
"I've only been here for two weeks and my team-mates have to get to know me and I have to get to know them - how the wingers play and when they cross the ball.
"When that's settled my goals will come."
Category: General Sports
