Aston Villa complete loan move for Manchester United man

 

Aston Villa have announced they have completed the loan signing of Sam Johnstone from Manchester United.

 

The 24-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Villa Park and will do so until his contract expires next summer, which could enable the Midlands club to pick him up on a free.

 

Steve Bruce had been linked with a move for England international Joe Hart when it appeared as though the United man was a target for a handful of Premier League clubs, as well as Middlesbrough, but a deal has now been reached to ensure his return.

 

The keeper made 22 appearances for the Championship side last season, starting with a strong debut in the FA Cup against Spurs before a disappointing run from both a team and individual perspective. He failed to keep clean sheet in his first 8 outings, with Villa failing to win any of said games, before a string of 7 clean sheets and 7 wins from his next 8 games.

 

 

Johnstone ended up with an eighth clean sheet in claret and blue in the second city derby to ensure that he had kept more than any other Championship stopper during his time at the club.

 

He will now link up with his teammates and could even feature as Villa’s pre-season friendlies kick-off tonight with two separate games against National League North sides Telford and Kidderminster.