The Potters have secured their first signing of the summer effective as soon as the transfer window opens in June.
Viktor Johansson, a custodian for Rotherham United, has officially signed a three-year contract with Stoke City.
After the Millers were relegated from the Championship at the end of the season, Steven Schumacher’s team pounced to capture the Swedish international custodian as their first summer transfer window acquisition for an undisclosed cost.
After previously spending time at Aston Villa and Leicester City, the 25-year-old made 135 appearances at the Championship level during his four years at AESSEAL New York Stadium, where he also won the Club’s Player of the Season Award.
Jonathan Walters, the sporting director of Stoke City, stated: “We’re thrilled to have Viktor sign with us and become a part of the Stoke City family. Viktor brings quality, having been one of the league’s best players the previous season, but the character he brings to the locker room is even more significant.
“There is a lot of work to be done between now and the start of the season, but doing this business so early sets the tone for the club and our intentions for the 24/25 campaign.”
When Johansson first arrived at the bet365 Stadium, he expressed his happiness by saying, “It’s great to be here. For my family and me, this is a proud moment because Stoke City is a huge club. One item
“I am excited for it because I have heard amazing things about the Stoke supporters, both at home and away. I’m excited to get going because I truly want to be a part of this adventure and I share the goals of the Club.”
Goalkeeping coach for the Potters, Darren Behcet, continued, saying, “I’ve always liked Viktor as a player. He is an excellent shot-blocker, and I appreciate how confident he is when he steps off the line and controls his penalty area.
“I’m looking forward to working closely with Viktor and I’m sure the fans will make him feel like one of our own.”
After sustaining head injuries, the Potters’ new addition became Rotherham’s first choice starting in November 2020. He went on to help the team win the Papa Johns Trophy and earn automatic promotion to the Sky Bet Championship in the 2021–2022 season, during which he recorded a club-high 27 clean sheets.
After that, he preserved 13 league clean sheets in the next season, winning Player of the Season and Players’ Player awards from the club, before going on to earn individual honours with Sweden. Having competed for his nation at the under-17, under-19, and under-21 levels in the past
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