Djibril Soumare has pointed to the unity of Stoke City's new-look squad as the driving force behind the club's impressive Championship turnaround, saying the dressing room feels "like a family" both on and off the pitch.

The midfielder, one of several significant arrivals at the bet365 Stadium this summer, joined from Portuguese top-flight club Braga on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. He has quickly established himself as a key figure in the Potters' resurgence, which has seen the club win four of their last five Championship matches to climb to seventh place, sitting just two points off the top two heading into the international break.

That run is all the more striking given Stoke had lost their opening three fixtures of the season. Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke, Soumare was candid about what he believes has made the difference.

"I felt love since day one. So I'm really enjoying it here," he said. "I think that togetherness is really like a family on the pitch, out of the pitch. I said when I joined I still want to develop and the staff here, coaches, it was the right one for me I think."

He added: "If it's time to be serious we're going to be serious but in the dressing room, having a laugh with the boys, is something special."

Second season in England bringing greater understanding

Soumare is no stranger to the Championship, having made 25 appearances in the division on loan at Sheffield United last season. He acknowledged that first campaign was a learning curve, but believes the experience has set him up well for his first full season in England.

"That season wasn't perfect but I learned a lot. It was my first year in England, so now I think I understand the league better and will enjoy it more," he told the BBC.

He was also honest about his own fitness levels, noting that a disrupted pre-season has left him still short of his peak. "There's still a lot to develop on my football, the intensity, because I think I'm not 100% fit yet as I didn't have a proper pre-season," he said. That kind of candid self-assessment will be encouraging for supporters: a player who acknowledges room for improvement while already contributing to a four-game winning run is arguably one of the more exciting prospects in the Stoke squad.

Galbraith partnership adding quality in the middle

Soumare has been operating alongside fellow summer arrival Ethan Galbraith, the Northern Ireland international who joined for a reported £10m fee, giving Stoke considerable quality and depth through the centre of the pitch. The combination of the two has coincided directly with the club's upturn in results, and supporters will be keen to see whether the partnership can sustain its impact when Championship action resumes.

Soumare also revealed a personal milestone he is targeting as Stoke look to maintain their momentum. "I really love this team, so I'm really looking forward to scoring my first goal. That will be something really special for me," he said.

Bolton the next test

Stoke's first fixture back from the international break is an away trip to Bolton Wanderers on Saturday (15:00 BST), a game that will provide a stern examination of how well the togetherness Soumare describes holds up on the road. The Potters will be looking to consolidate their position inside the top half and keep pace with the automatic promotion places as the season develops.

Three months ago, Stoke were bottom of the division after three straight defeats. The transformation since then has been sharp, and according to Soumare, the explanation is straightforward: a group of players who genuinely enjoy each other's company, built rapidly in a single transfer window, are beginning to function as one. Whether that cohesion can carry them into serious contention remains to be seen, but the signs are encouraging.

Frequently asked

How has Stoke City been performing in the Championship this season?
After losing their first three matches of the Championship season, Stoke have won four of their next five games to move up to seventh place, just two points behind the top two.
Who is Djibril Soumare and how did he join Stoke City?
Djibril Soumare is a midfielder who joined Stoke City from Portuguese club Braga in the summer on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee. He previously had a loan spell in the Championship with Sheffield United.
When is Stoke City's next Championship match after the international break?
Stoke travel to Bolton Wanderers on Saturday at 15:00 BST for their first Championship fixture back from the international break.