Istanbulspor Close In On Recently-Released Championship Player

Istanbulspor are believed to be closing in on the signing of Daniel Johnson, a 31-year-old midfielder recently released by English Championship outfit Stoke City.

Johnson, who had been a key player for Stoke under his former Preston North End boss Alex Neil, found himself out of favour under the new management of Steven Schumacher. He hadn’t started a league game for Stoke since February, after a missed penalty in a defeat at Blackburn Rovers.

Stoke City released the Jamaica international just before the UK transfer deadline, allowing him to find a new club as a free agent. With suitors in Turkey, Johnson has been in advanced talks with İstanbul’un Takımı, according to TeamTalk. The club, which was relegated from the top flight last season, has started this season strongly, winning three of its first four games.

If the deal goes through, Johnson could face his former Stoke teammate Wesley, who now plays for Fatih Karagumruk, on September 29. Istanbulspor also have a match against Peter Etebo’s Gençlerbirliği scheduled for November 3.

Stoke City’s sporting director, Jon Walters, commented on Johnson’s departure last Thursday: “Daniel’s minutes on the field have been limited since the latter part of last season, and we have mutually decided it is in his and the club’s best interests to part ways.

“We thank Daniel for his efforts during his time at Stoke City and wish him well in his future career.”

Istanbulspor, after being relegated from the Super Lig last season, are determined to assemble a squad strong enough to secure promotion back to the top flight.

The team made a strong start in the TFF First League, winning their first three matches and positioning themselves at the top of the Turkish second tier ahead of the fourth round of fixtures.

Site Opinion

Johnson should be a success in Turkey – he still has good years ahead of him, and it’s a chance to win a bit of silverware, ableit a second-tier title, and maybe get to play in the Super Lig. There are some huge teams there, and some big stages on which to bring the curtain down on his career in style.

He’s had a strong career in England, always just been on the cusp of stepping up to the Premier League, but never quite making it work. This move might finally be a chance for a little taste of the good life, before the inevitable come down brought on by his advancing years.


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