The Potters' record signing has played a part in City's opening three encounters in the top flight, including their 3-2 home win over Aston Villa.

Kitson is no stranger to the position Stoke find themselves in after helping his former club Reading survive in their first season in the Premier League - and he admits there is a likeness between the two clubs.

Stoke return to action a week on Sunday for the home clash against Everton and Kitson is proud to be a part of it all.

"When we went up with Reading nobody knew what to expect so we just cracked on and had a great time," Kitson told The Sentinel.

"It is the same here and it is amazing to see the similarities between the two clubs. There is the freshness to that first year in the Premier League and an excitement and buzz around town.

"It is amazing and I like being part of those moments in a club's history.

"To me they are just as important, relatively, as Manchester United going for the league every year.

"It is a privilege to be part of something like this."