Football
Exclusive: Viktor Johansson Eyes Premier League Dream with Stoke City
New Stoke City goalkeeper Viktor Johansson aims for Premier League promotion, joining from Rotherham United on a three-year deal.
Image Credits: Chris Vaughan - CameraSport via Getty Images
New Stoke City shot-stopper Viktor Johansson is ready to take himself out of his comfort zone in his quest for Premier League promotion.
The experienced Sweden international joined the Potters for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal this summer.
After four seasons at Rotherham United – where he tasted experience and relegation - the ambitious 25-year-old is hungry to see if he can help his new club challenge for promotion to the topflight this season.
New Beginnings at Stoke City
“I want to get the club back to where they belong – the Premier League,” told SportsBoom.com.
“It’s a massive club, it’s got every possibility in the world – and I want to be a part of that.”
“100 per cent the fans and the players want to get there, we’ve all got the same target.”
“What we stand for us a group, we’re going to work towards that target.”
“I’m very excited, it’s a new fresh start for me.”
I’ve got high ambitions for myself and the club. I’ve just got to stay focused on what I do on the pitch – and everything else will come.
Viktor Johansson
“I just can’t wait to get the season going. I can’t wait to hit the ground running.”
“I felt very wanted from the start, they were persistent in letting me know they really wanted me at the club. That meant a lot.”
“I’m going to make sure I’m ready for everything this season.”
Home Form Will Be Key
Stoke enjoyed ten seasons in the Premier League before relegation to the second tier at the end of the 2018-19 season, and the club have been battling ever since to get back to the topflight, with this season now their seventh back in the Championship.
“The home form needs to be really good (this season); we need to make it (the bet365 Stadium) a fortress,” stressed Johansson.
“Then we just need to try and get anything away from home, even if that means scrapping for a draw or getting a win, trying to pick up as many points on the road as well is massive, especially in this league.”
“Trust is the most important thing in a team, if you trust each other than the sky’s the limit.”
Image Credits: Yorkshire Post
“You here about Stoke about growing up and the Premier League – and that’s where we want to get too.”
“There’s a lot of big personalities in the changing room, I’ve heard good things about everyone to be honest. I’m just really excited about the future.”
Memorable Tenure at Rotherham United
Johnasson played 144 times for the Millers across four seasons for the South Yorkshire club and won the club’s coveted Young Player of the Season (2020-21) and Player of the Season (2022-23) awards respectively in two of those seasons.
The Stockholm-born keeper won two trophies at the club, both in the club’s magical 2021-22 season which saw them win EFL Trophy at Wembley and promotion to the Championship as League One runners-up.
“It was a tough decision (to leave Rotherham), but I felt like Stoke really wanted me,” he added.
“I loved my time with Rotherham, I love every single moment of it.”
“I’m going to miss them loads, but now it’s time for a change – and it’s very exciting.”
It’s a really tough league, it’s full-on. But I’m a hard-working person, I just want to work as hard as I can to realise my dream. I just want to get as high as I can.
Viktor Johansson
Ready to Battle Like a Viking
Nicknamed ‘The Viking’ for his battling qualities, Johansson is not afraid to put his body on the line for his team.
“I really enjoy a battle, that sums me up as a character,” he added.
Sporting Director’s Confidence
Stoke's sporting director Jonathan Walters has high hopes for his new man between the posts.
“As one of the standout performers in the league last year, Viktor adds quality, but just as important as the talent is the character we are introducing to the dressing room,” said Walters.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.