theglobalsun – Stoke City have continued rebuilding their squad by signing Ipswich Town right-back Ben Johnson on a season-long loan. The 26-year-old defender will remain with the Potters until the end of the season.
Johnson began his professional career with West Ham United. He made 69 Premier League appearances across six seasons before leaving the London club for Ipswich Town.
The defender joined Ipswich for their 2024-25 Premier League campaign. Town’s season ended with relegation from the top flight after their return to the Premier League.
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Johnson had already experienced promotion with Ipswich during the previous campaign. He made 17 appearances as the club secured promotion back to England’s top division.
His career also includes European success with West Ham. Johnson was part of the squad that won the UEFA Conference League in 2023.
The defender will now reunite with former West Ham teammate Aaron Cresswell at Stoke City. The pair were part of the Hammers squad during their successful European campaign.
Johnson’s move to Stoke follows the arrival of another Ipswich player. George Hirst joined the Potters on a permanent deal earlier this week.
Hirst signed a three-year contract with Stoke as part of the club’s summer recruitment drive. Johnson’s arrival now gives Stoke another player with recent experience of Ipswich’s promotion campaign.
The move represents Stoke’s continued effort to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season. The club has now completed seven new signings during the summer transfer window.
Stoke are targeting a more sustained promotion challenge after several seasons outside the Premier League. The club has spent eight years in the Championship since its relegation from the top flight.
Johnson brings experience from both the Premier League and Championship. His background also includes involvement in a European trophy-winning squad with West Ham.
Johnson Adds Premier League and Promotion Experience to Stoke Squad
Stoke sporting director Jonathan Walters welcomed Johnson’s arrival and highlighted his experience at a high level. Walters said the defender had been trusted to play at the highest level from a young age.
“Ben has been trusted to play at the highest level from a young age,” Walters said. He also praised Johnson’s involvement with successful teams at both club and international level.
Walters also emphasized the defender’s familiarity with Championship football. Johnson was part of Ipswich’s promotion campaign before playing in the Premier League.
“He knows the Championship well, having been involved in Ipswich’s promotion last season,” Walters said. His experience could now become valuable as Stoke pursue their promotion ambitions.
Johnson arrives with significant experience despite being only 26 years old. His 69 Premier League appearances provide him with a strong background in England’s top division.
His time at Ipswich has also given him experience of competing for promotion. He then experienced the challenges of Premier League football during the club’s 2024-25 campaign.
Stoke will hope Johnson can bring that experience into their defensive setup. His primary position is right-back, giving the club another option in that area.
The defender’s arrival also strengthens the connection between Stoke and Ipswich during the current transfer window. Hirst and Johnson have both moved from Portman Road to the Potters.
Johnson’s season-long loan allows him to continue playing Championship football after Ipswich’s relegation. Stoke, meanwhile, gain an experienced defender without committing to a permanent transfer.
The club’s recruitment activity reflects its ambition to improve after remaining outside the Premier League since 2018. Stoke are now building a squad designed to compete more consistently near the promotion places.
Johnson will now begin his Stoke career with the opportunity to play another important role in the Championship. His previous promotion experience could provide useful knowledge during Stoke’s campaign.
The Potters will hope their seven summer additions can help create the consistency needed for a serious promotion challenge. Johnson’s experience at West Ham and Ipswich adds another valuable element to that rebuilding process.
