Stoke sign Ipswich's Johnson on loan

Stoke City have continued the revamp of their squad with a loan deal for Ipswich Town right-back Ben Johnson until the end of the season. Johnson, 26, began his career with West Ham, where he made 69 Premier League appearances in six seasons before switching to Town for their 2024-25 campaign in the top flight that ended in relegation. He played 17 games in Ipswich's promotion-winning return to the Premier League last term and was a member of the Hammers squad that won the Uefa Conference League in 2023, alongside his new Stoke team-mate Aaron Cresswell. Johnson's arrival follows that of his Portman Road colleague George Hirst, who joined the Potters on a permanent deal on Thursday on a three-year contract. Stoke have now brought in seven new signings this summer in the hope of a more sustained challenge for promotion, eight years after relegation from the Premier League. "Ben has been trusted to play at the highest level from a young age, and, for both club and country, he has been involved in successful teams," sporting director Jonathan Walters said. "He knows the Championship well, having been involved in Ipswich's promotion last season." Latest Stoke City news, analysis and fan views All done deals in August 2026