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Stoke City have made a great start to the season, and now, one of their newest arrivals has capped a big week with his first international goal.
Under Mark Robins, we’ve seen Stoke City hit the ground running in the early stages of the 2025/26 campaign and they look like they’ll finally steer clear of a relegation battle this season.
It’s early days, but given the system Robins has introduced and the new Stoke City signings this summer, it’s an exciting time to be a Potters fan.
Of all the new arrivals, though, it is Tomas Rigo who could be the most tantalising prospect, and he just proved it on the international stage.
Tomas Rigo shines for Slovakia
Back when he was linked with Ipswich Town, Rigo was compared to Marek Hamsik and heralded as the next emerging star for the Slovakian national team.
This weekend, he earned his fifth cap for his country, coming on as a substitute versus Luxembourg, and he went on to score a last-minute winner.
Rigo put in an impressive display in his 45 minutes on the pitch, registering 23 touches, an 80% pass success rate, and scoring with his one shot on target.
| Statistics | Tomas Rigo vs Luxembourg |
| Minutes | 45 |
| Touches | 23 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Shots on target | 1 |
| Pass success | 80% |
It helped Slovakia bag a crucial three points in their World Cup qualifying group and may well help Rigo stake a claim for a starting spot for his nation from here on out.
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Stoke City have a real gamechanger in Tomas Rigo
Over the years, Stoke City owners have pumped a lot of money into the club, and yet the Potters have failed to breach the top half of the table for the last seven seasons.
This is surely the year that has to change, and Tomas Rigo can be key to that. He’s exactly the kind of creative spark Stoke have been lacking for such a long time, and he can certainly take Robins’ team to the next level.
Rigo praised the coaches and facilities at Stoke when he joined the club last week, and it’s that relationship with Robins in particular that could be a win-win situation for everyone involved.
We know Rigo has the talent to change games for any team, and under the guidance of the patient yet firm Robins, the young Slovakian could well develop into one of the best players in the Championship.