Stoke City has parted ways with Wesley Moraes. Once acquired for £22 million, what led to his career downturn after moving from Club Brugge to Aston Villa?
Wesley’s departure from Stoke City marks the end of a disappointing season for the former Aston Villa and Club Brugge forward.
Initially signed under Alex Neil’s management on a one-year deal last summer, Wesley fell out of favor under Steven Schumacher’s leadership and failed to feature in the last nine matchday squads. His final appearance for The Potters came as a substitute against QPR in mid-February before his contract expired and he was released.
His release highlights the stark contrast from his days as Aston Villa’s record transfer signing in 2019 to becoming a free agent at Stoke, underscoring the struggles he’s faced since arriving in England at 22.
Wesley’s future in football now appears uncertain, prompting reflection on what went wrong for the once-promising Brazilian international. Wesley rose to prominence in the Belgian Pro League, showcasing his talent at Club Brugge before his high-profile move to Aston Villa for £22 million.
However, Wesley’s stint at Villa Park was marred by disappointment, managing only six goals in 26 appearances. Loan spells at Club Brugge, Internacional, and Levante failed to reignite his career, culminating in his release by Villa.
His year-long stay at Stoke City, playing in the Championship, feels like a career low for Wesley, adding to a list of strikers for the club who have struggled to meet expectations.
The Potters have completed the signing of Brazil international striker Wesley 🇧🇷
The 26-year-old has signed a one-year contract at the bet365 Stadium.
Welcome to Stoke City, Wesley 🤝
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) July 28, 2023
The club’s near-relegation from the Championship underscores the underwhelming contributions of players like Wesley, highlighting Stoke’s recurrent challenges in player recruitment.
With an eye-watering £9,000 per week contract at Stoke, Wesley’s departure emphasizes the costly misstep Aston Villa made with their initial £22 million outlay five years ago.