Stoke City signing Joselu has paid tribute to Real Madrid in aiding his development as a player.

The striker, who left Hannover for the Potters last week, learnt his trade early on in his career with Real Madrid, where he was a star of the Castilla side.

Joselu has since gone on to make a very good career for himself playing for the likes of Hoffenheim, Eintracht Frankfurt, Hannover and now Stoke, and the striker has stated that he will never forget Madrid for helping him develop into the player he is today.

The 25-year old said: "I went on pre-seasons with the first-team, where I played with the best players in the world. I had the fortune to fulfil those dreams and everything I learned from those training sessions have helped make me the player I am today.

"It is the best club in the world (this comment was made before he met Stoke City remember) and you have to demonstrate what you are worth. My two years in the Castilla made me grow up. In the last season I scored 30 goals (for the B team) and I still had to leave.

"It is something you think about, of course, but in life, things don't always go as you like. Madrid is Madrid. It is an experience I will never forget. I would make that move again as a teenager in a heartbeat."