Dundee Star Luke Graham Joins Stoke City for Record Fee
Stoke have beaten off interest from elsewhere to land one of the SPFL’s brightest young defenders for an undisclosed fee.
Luke Graham has completed a club-record move from Dundee to Stoke City, signing a four-year contract with the Potters after a breakthrough season at Dens Park.
Dundee’s academy product arrives at the bet365 Stadium for an undisclosed fee after a campaign in which he made 40 appearances and collected the club’s Young Player and Players’ Player of the Year awards. The 22-year-old centre-back, who came through the academy at Dundee, before going out on loan to Lochee United, Albion Rovers, Montrose and Falkirk before establishing himself in the first team - has also become a regular for Scotland’s Under-21s and was included in the pre-camp training squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Stoke’s sporting director Jonathan Walters welcomed Graham as “one of the brightest young defenders available this summer” and said there had been “significant interest in him from a number of clubs.”
Graham, Stoke’s fifth summer signing, said he felt “very privileged to be a Stoke City player.” Explaining that he had known of the interest for some time and that completing the move was “amazing.”
Describing his reasons for choosing the Potters, he said: “I felt like this was the perfect place for the next step in my career and, having seen a few big signings arrive already, I just want to add to that. It feels like a club back on the up, one that wants to get to the Premier League, where it belongs.”
On the coaching set-up, Graham added: “I have spoken to Ryan [Shawcross] already and I can’t wait to work with him. It was a big part in me coming here knowing the coaches are perfect to take my game to the next level. It’s ideal to be in early in pre-season to give myself the best chance to hit the ground running and every opportunity to play as many games as I can this season. I’m fit, ready to go and can’t wait to get started.”
Dundee paid tribute to Graham’s progress and expressed gratitude for his contribution as he departs for a club-record fee. The club recalled his journey from the academy, through several loan spells, to his first-team debut in July 2024 against Annan Athletic and his first league start weeks later in the 2-2 draw at Tannadice.
Reflecting on his time at Dens Park, Graham said: “Dundee has been massive for me. I wouldn’t be sat here if it wasn’t for Dundee taking a chance on me as a young kid coming through the academy. I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone around the club, all the supporters, all the teammates and everyone I’ve worked with. I’ve made a lot of really good friends along the way that I’ll stay in touch with. Pulling on a Dundee shirt was a really proud feeling for me, and I’ll be supporting the club wherever I go next.”