Johnstone joins Villa on loan, Pereira returns from Belenenses
Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone has joined Aston Villa on loan for the rest of the season, with Joel Pereira returning from his loan with Portuguese side Belenenses to take his place as third-choice keeper.
Johnstone, who has had previous loan spells with Scunthorpe United, Walsall, Yeovil Town, Doncaster Rovers and Preston North End, has been third-choice behind David de Gea and Sergio Romero this season, often travelling with the side and participating in warm-ups before matches.
The 23-year-old signed a new contract with the Reds in October and is looking forward to gaining some first-team action at Villa Park under Steve Bruce:
I’m really pleased to have joined Aston Villa – it’s a massive club. It’s an opportunity I jumped at, it’s one you simply can’t turn down. I’m delighted to be here and I can’t wait to work with Steve Bruce. I’ve heard very good things about the manager.
As for Pereira, the Portuguese under-21 international returns from a fruitful loan spell with the Lisbon-based side, having made ten appearances and kept four clean sheets during his time at the Estádio do Restelo.
The 20-year-old, who was on the bench for United’s win over Midtjylland in the Europa League last season, thanked the club for helping him develop as a player and looked forward to returning to Manchester:
I’d like to thank everyone at Belenenses who helped me to develop my game and become a better player.
From the president to the coaches, all my teammates, I really appreciate the opportunity that was given to me. It was a great experience to be able to play for such a traditional club from the Portuguese league and be capable of helping the team to get good results.
As I’m a Manchester United player, I need to do what my club asks and I’m anxious to return to Manchester and keep working hard with my team-mates.
Belenenses manager Quim Machado also had some praise for Pereira, labelling him a player with ‘enormous potential’:
It is not easy to lose the best players in a team like ours. We do not have the financial power of Benfica, Sporting and FC Porto. It’s a shame for us. Joel took advantage of his opportunities. He has enormous potential.