When Ryan Mmaee arrived at Stoke City in the summer of 2023, there was a quiet optimism surrounding his signing. The Moroccan international had impressed at Ferencváros, contributing goals and flair in both domestic and European competition. Stoke, aiming to reshape their attack under then-manager Alex Neil, saw Mmaee as a potential difference-maker. However, just over a year later, his time at the bet365 Stadium appears to be drawing to an unceremonious close.
Issues Since Joining the Club
Mmaee’s first season in England was far from the impact he or the club had hoped for. Despite showing glimpses of his technical ability and strength in hold-up play, the goals never flowed consistently. He managed just four goals in 27 appearances, a modest return that was soon overshadowed by issues off the pitch.
By early 2024, tensions between the player and new manager Steven Schumacher had begun to surface. Reports from the club suggested that Mmaee had fallen foul of internal discipline standards. Schumacher, keen to establish a strong culture in the dressing room, made the decision to remove the striker from the first-team group. He was sent to train with the U21s, with the manager later confirming publicly that Mmaee had not met the “non-negotiables” expected of senior professionals at the club.
Signs of Improvement
Ryan Mmaee eventually returned to first-team training after what was described as a marked improvement in attitude. But just as he was working his way back into contention, his progress was halted by a hamstring injury in April that ruled him out for the remainder of the season. With Stoke struggling for consistency in the Championship, his absence went largely unnoticed on the pitch.
Seeking a fresh start and more playing time, Mmaee moved on loan to Rapid Wien in Austria at the start of the 2024–25 season. However, the move did little to revive his fortunes. Persistent fitness problems prevented him from making a single competitive appearance for the Austrian club, and the loan was terminated early in February 2025.
Contract Negotiations
Now, with just one year remaining on his Stoke contract and no realistic path back into the first-team setup under new manager Mark Robins, Mmaee is expected to move on permanently this summer. The club has reportedly made it clear that he is not part of their plans, and discussions are underway to find a new destination for the forward.
It is a disappointing turn for a player who once carried significant promise. Still only 26, Mmaee’s next move will be a pivotal one in his career. Whether he returns to continental Europe or finds a new project elsewhere remains to be seen. For Stoke, his departure would mark the end of a transfer that never quite delivered on its early hopes.
