Luton Town are reportedly leading the race to sign Bolton Wanderers defender George Johnston following his release by the newly promoted Championship side.
The Hatters are said to be in a strong position to land the 27-year-old centre-back, who will become available on a free transfer when his contract at the Toughsheet Community Stadium expires at the end of June.
According to The Lutonian, reports in Greater Manchester have suggested that Kenilworth Road is Johnston’s most likely destination, with Luton believed to have put forward a strong contract offer as they look to reshape Jack Wilshere’s squad.
Johnston’s departure from Bolton was confirmed despite his role in their successful League One campaign, which ended with promotion through the play-offs. The defender captained the Trotters in their Wembley victory over Stockport County, making his release one of the more surprising decisions of the summer so far.
Johnston Emerges As Luton Target
Luton are not thought to be alone in monitoring the former Liverpool and Feyenoord defender. Bradford City and Plymouth Argyle have also been credited with interest, but the Hatters are reportedly ahead of their League One rivals at this stage.
Johnston joined Bolton in 2021 after spells with Liverpool, Feyenoord and Wigan Athletic, going on to make well over 150 appearances for the club. His time there also included an EFL Trophy win in 2023, although he then missed the following campaign after suffering a serious knee injury in pre-season.
He returned to play a regular role again and remained part of the Bolton side that won promotion, which is why the decision not to offer him fresh terms has raised eyebrows.
The move would fit with Wilshere’s stated intention to bring in players who suit the culture he wants to build at Kenilworth Road. Luton ended last season strongly, losing only once in their final 17 matches and winning the Vertu Trophy at Wembley, but they still missed out on the play-offs by a single point.
That near miss has left the club with a clear summer brief. Luton need to build a squad capable of turning strong form into sustained promotion pressure, and Johnston’s profile offers experience, leadership and familiarity with the division.
Wilshere recently made it clear that recruitment would be shaped around attitude as much as ability.
“We identified really quickly what type of players we want here, what we want the culture to look like.
“We want hungry players that really want to be here and help the team.”
Johnston appears to match plenty of that description. He has just come through a promotion campaign, has worn the armband in a major final and would arrive without a transfer fee. For a club trying to rebuild quickly without unnecessary risk, that combination is likely to carry appeal.
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