---
title: "Johnstone joins Villa on loan, Pereira returns from Belenenses"
canonical: "https://readmanutd.com/2017/01/05/johnstone-joins-villa-loan-pereira-returns-belenenses/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
section: "Man Utd News"
published: "2017-01-05T14:26:31Z"
modified: "2017-01-05T14:26:31Z"
---

# Johnstone joins Villa on loan, Pereira returns from Belenenses

Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone has [joined](https://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2017/Jan/manchester-united-goalkeeper-sam-johnstone-joins-aston-villa-on-loan.aspx) Aston Villa on loan for the rest of the season, with Joel Pereira [returning](https://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2017/Jan/manchester-united-goalkeeper-joel-pereira-recalled-from-loan-spell-at-belenenses.aspx) 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.*

![Harry Trump/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmanutd.com/readmanutd/2017/01/537559080.jpg)

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.*