Championship side, Aston Villa, have confirmed the signing of Manchester United goalkeeper, Sam Johnstone, on a six-month loan deal.
Manchester United have confirmed the news on Twitter:
.@SamJohnstone50 joins Aston Villa on loan until the end of the season and @ElgatoPereira1 returns to #MUFC after a spell with Belenenses. pic.twitter.com/Ox4MITBw9P
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 5, 2017
The 23-year-old has not played a single minute of competitive football under José Mourinho, and remained the third-choice option behind David de Gea and Sergio Romero.
He becomes the first signing for the Villa manager, Steve Bruce, in the January transfer window. Johnstone is expected to provide competition to Mark Bunn and Pierluigi Gollini, both the goalkeepers having been unconvincing this season for the Villans.
He told Aston Villa’s official website:
I’m really pleased to have joined Aston Villa – it’s a massive club.
I’m really excited to be here. Aston Villa were interested and it’s an opportunity I jumped at. It’s one you simply can’t turn down.
I’m really delighted to be here and I’m happy that it’s all sorted. I can’t wait to work with Steve Bruce too.
I’ve heard very good things about the manager. You can see his track record. He’s good for the club and I can’t wait to get going now.
It remains to be seen whether he will be drafted straight into the first team. There is a high chance that he could start for Villa when they take on Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup third round on Sunday.
Johnstone’s departure has paved the way for Portuguese youngster, Joel Castro, to play as United’s third-choice keeper. The 20-year-old was recalled by Mourinho from his loan spell with Primeira Liga side Belenenses.
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