Johnson completes Stoke switch

Stoke City have completed the signing of England full-back Glen Johnson on a two-year-deal.

Johnson, 30, had been heavily linked with a move to the Britannia Stadium throughout the transfer window after he was released by Liverpool.

He has now penned terms until 2017, with Stoke retaining the option for a third year.

Manager Mark Hughes told Stoke’s official website: “Glen will be a fantastic addition to our squad. He commanded a huge transfer fee when he left Portsmouth for Liverpool but dealt with the pressure that comes with that.

“He’s a talented defender who also chips in with goals – as we discovered last season when he scored the winner against us at Anfield – and having spoken to him I know how much he’s looking forward to being a Stoke player.”

Johnson becomes Stoke’s sixth signing of the transfer window, joining Joselu, Philipp Wollscheid, Shay Given, Marco van Ginkel and Jakob Haugaard.

In his sixth season with Liverpool, Johnson – who has 54 international caps – endured an injury-hit 2014-15 campaign and made just 19 Premier League appearances.

Stoke chief executive Tony Scholes is unconcerned, however, and added: “Glen’s record speaks for itself. He has a wealth of experience having been a regular at international level for more than a decade and played the finals of the World Cup and European Championships. 

“There was no shortage of clubs interested in him after he left Liverpool but he very much sees his future as a Stoke City player and we are delighted he has chosen to join us.”