Stoke City striker set for immediate challenge at Hibs

Stoke striker Nathan Lowe could make his first appearance for loan club Hibernian on Saturday when they have a friendly at home to Brondby.

The 20-year-old has joined the Scottish top flight club on loan for the season but also signed a new deal with City that runs until the summer of 2029.

Hibs head coach David Gray said: “He is a natural goalscorer, and he has proven that he can score a range of different types of goals.”

Lowe netted 11 last season while on loan in League One at Stockport and Wycombe. And in 2024/25 he netted 18 while on loan in League Two with Walsall for the first half of that season.

Stoke return to action at Crewe on Saturday in their first pre-season fixture in public.

Robins then takes the squad to a training camp in Austria before they return for home friendlies, against Everton on Tuesday July 28, and Valencia on Saturday August 1.

That’s in preparation for the new season that kicks off with the Carabao Cup tie at home to Oldham Athletic on Saturday August 8 and the Championship opener at home to Swansea on August 15.