The Career Trajectory of Stoke City's First Signing
By Oscar Cortes
One of the top goalkeepers in the EFL Championship during the 2023/2024 season, Viktor Johansson, joined Stoke City. The Potters aim to have a more positive sporting year than the last, with signings like Viktor Johansson focused on addressing weaknesses from the previous season, particularly bolstering the goalkeeper position.
In the 2023/2024 season, Johansson played for Rotherham, where despite the team's relegation to League One, he showcased incredible talent between the posts. This caught the interest of Stoke City, who ultimately signed the 25-year-old goalkeeper.
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Viktor Johansson's Sporting Career
Viktor Johansson's journey began in the youth ranks of Hammarby IF U17 in Sweden. From there, he made a significant move to Aston Villa U18 in 2014, starting a process with one of the Premier League's most prominent teams. Unfortunately, he couldn't continue his development there due to lack of opportunities as a goalkeeper and several loan spells.
In 2018, he was loaned to the sixth-tier team Alfreton, but his stint lasted only two months. After his contract with Aston Villa's youth team expired, he joined Leicester U21 on a free transfer. However, he still struggled to find his place and eventually moved to Rotherham.
✍️ Viktor the Viking.
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) May 18, 2024
Viktor Johansson is a Potter. pic.twitter.com/OAnhztwW68
His arrival at Rotherham in 2020 marked the beginning of a stable phase in his career, where he found his footing as a goalkeeper and spent the next four years there. During his time with the club, Johansson made 144 appearances across competitions such as the EFL Championship, EFL Trophy, EFL Cup, FA Cup, and League One. He kept a clean sheet in 36 of these matches.
This provides an overview of the incredible goalkeeper Stoke City has signed. At just 25 years old, Viktor Johansson's journey through the Premier League youth system and his time in the EFL Championship has been admirable, and he hopes for several successful years with The Potters.
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