soccer

Stoke goalkeeper Johansson signs new four-year deal

Yahoo Sports

Sweden and Stoke City goalkeeper Viktor Johansson agrees a new four-year contract with the Championship club.

Viktor Johansson has made 73 appearances for Stoke City in all competitions since signing in May 2024 [Getty Images] Stoke City goalkeeper Viktor Johansson has signed a new four-year deal with the Championship club. The 27-year-old, who has won 12 caps for Sweden, has been recovering from shoulder surgery since January but is now back in full training and could return in Saturday's final game of the campaign at Bristol City. Prior to his injury, Johansson had clocked up 70 consecutive league appearances for the Potters and kept eight clean sheets in his first 24 games of this season as Stoke conceded only 23 goals, the joint lowest in the Championship at that time.

Stoke sporting director Jon Walters said Johansson was "incredibly special" to the club. "In my eyes, and I'm sure in the eyes of our supporters as well, Viktor is the best goalkeeper in the Championship, so securing his long-term future is a statement of our intent," Walters told the club website. "Viktor epitomises everything we all want to see in a Stoke City player.

His energy, leadership and relentless desire to win drive standards every day, and his influence on those around him is clear for everyone to see. " "I felt wanted" - Viktor Johansson Stoke sign goalkeeper Johansson from Rotherham Stoke have improved in a difficult season - Robins Johansson, who signed for Stoke from Rotherham before the start of the 2024-25 season, said he was keen to extend his stay when the club first approached him about a fresh contract. "As soon as Jon brought up signing a new deal, it was something I was desperate to do," he said.

"My full focus has been on my rehabilitation so I can be available for the team. "While we are all naturally disappointed that this season hasn't fulfilled the promise it showed in the first half of the season, I take positives from how we proved we can compete at the top of this division. " Going into the final round of games, Stoke could finish 14th in the Championship, which would match their best placing since relegation from the Premier League in 2018.