Sam Johnstone agrees four-year deal with Crystal Palace

Sam Johnstone is set to join Crystal Palace on a free transfer after agreeing to a four-year deal with the Premier League club.

According to The Sun, Crystal Palace are set to sign Sam Johnstone on a free transfer after his West Bromwich Albion contract ended. The England international has reportedly agreed to sign a four-year contract with the Eagles to replace Jack Butland and challenge Vicente Guaita for the No. 1 spot.

Patrick Vieira continues to scour the market for smart signings as he looks to improve his Crystal Palace squad ahead of the new season. The Frenchman would want incomings to be sorted before pre-season training next month. Players have been targeted for several positions, with the club seemingly close to solving their goalkeeping issue.

There wasn’t an issue in general, although Vieira might have felt there was a lack of quality for the No. 1 spot. Guaita is 35 years old and is entering the final year of his contract. Butland played as Vicente Guaita’s deputy last season but failed to challenge the Spaniard for a starting position and was only selected when the veteran star was injured.

Butland managed 15 appearances across all competitions and did a decent job between the posts. However, Vieira is looking at an upgrade in the position and had his eyes for Sam Johnstone on a free transfer.

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Johnstone had plenty of suitors, but a move to Palace makes plenty of sense. He has a fair shout after an impressive season with West Brom in the Championship. The 29-year-old can mount a challenge for the No. 1 spot next season and look to displace Guaita from the role.

He played in 36 league games last season, keeping 15 clean sheets and conceding just 33 goals in that period. Johnstone has been eager to return to the Premier League since West Brom’s relegation in 2021 and seems like he will get his chance after all. Johnstone is set to sign a four-year deal with Palace and replace Butland, who could be on his way to join Middlesbrough.

Johnstone will be aiming to play regularly and hope his appearances for Crystal Palace put him on the plane to Qatar for the FIFA World Cup. It is a big task for the 29-year-old, considering many others, including Dean Henderson, Aaron Ramsdale, and Nick Pope will be competing for two spots as Jordan Pickford’s deputy in Gareth Southgate’s squad.