Manchester United's Sam Johnstone off to Aston Villa on loan
Sam Johnstone, pack that suitcase of yours, again.
The rarely used Manchester United shot-stopper is off on another loan, the ninth of his budding career, this time to Championship side Aston Villa.
Johnstone, 23, will make the two-hour drive south after agreeing to join the Birmingham lot until the end of the season, Villa announced Thursday.
The United academy product has enjoyed loan spells at Oldham Athletic, Scunthorpe United, Walsall, Yeovil Town, and two terms with both Doncaster Rovers and Preston North End since making the leap to senior football in 2011.
Transfer news: We are delighted to announce the signing of @SamJohnstone50 on loan from @ManUtd until the end of the season. #AVFC pic.twitter.com/xpBL0Jtj0F
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) January 5, 2017
Languishing behind first-choice David de Gea and Argentine international Sergio Romero, Johnstone has yet to make a first-team appearance this campaign after extended his deal at the United in October through 2018.
Johnstone becomes Steve Bruce's first signing of the January window, and from the looks of it, the Preston-born England youth international is elated at the prospects of playing a role in Villa's fight for promotion.
"I’m really pleased to have joined Aston Villa - it’s a massive club," Johnstone admitted Thursday.
"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."