Rotherham United struck transfer gold after Leicester City decision - Foxes may regret this call now | OneFootball

Rotherham struck gold when they signed Viktor Johansson, with the now Stoke goalkeeper shining for the Millers.

Stoke City goalkeeper Viktor Johansson now sits in his place as one of the most highly-rated in the Championship.

Johansson had been the subject of persistent Premier League interest this summer - most notably from West Ham United - however, the Potters remained resolute in their attempt to keep hold of the Swedish shot-stopper.

Signing for Rotherham United in 2020 following his release from Leicester City, Johannson shone in goal for the Millers. After the sale of Mads Hermansen in the summer, the Foxes may be kicking themselves for not having Johansson to call upon as they aim for promotion.

Rotherham United struck Viktor Johansson transfer gold after Leicester City release

Johannson went on to become an integral part of a Rotherham side bouncing between the second and third tiers of English football.

His reputation grew rapidly during his time at the New York Stadium, with his 2022/23 performances almost single-handedly keeping the Millers in the Championship.

Rotherham were relegated back to League One at the end of the following term, and Johannson unsurprisingly conceded the most goals of any keeper in the Championship due to his side's struggles - 85 in total.

However, his actual value was not showcased by numbers alone. Across 45 Championship appearances, the Swede managed to make 177 saves after facing 261 shots on target, often sparing the club from greater humiliation.

It came as no surprise to Millers fans that he was named the club's Player of the Season for a second successive year, and his move to Stoke City was well-earned, with Johannson being more than deserving of a second shot at life in the Championship.

Johannson's continuous rise at Stoke City will leave Leicester City kicking themselves

After signing for Stoke in the summer of 2024, Johannson went on to keep 14 clean sheets in the Championship, while preventing the second-most goals of any goalkeeper in the division.

Similarly, his performances between the sticks for the Potters during his time at Rotherham were a significant reason why they avoided the bottom three.

Johansson will be looking to maintain his strong form in a Stoke side showing signs of being considerably more competitive in Mark Robins' first full season in Staffordshire, and that may leave Leicester with no shortage of regret after letting the Swede slip through their fingers.

For Leicester, it is a case of what could have been.

Mads Hermansen went on to become a fantastic goalkeeper for the Foxes as they earned promotion back to the Premier League in 2024, with the Dane taking over the role from the iconic Kaspar Schmeichel.

However, Hermansen had done more than enough to earn a move back to the Premier League this summer, with West Ham poaching the 26-year-old as a result of Leicester's relegation.

The Foxes are aiming for an instant return to the top-flight once again, and in a division that could be tighter than ever, a goalkeeper of Johannson's quality could make the difference come May.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. It was impossible to predict the level at which Johannson would have reached, particularly at a time when game time was sparse due to Schmeichel's form alongside him being the holder of the captain's armband.

However, Leicester let one of the Championship's best slip through their fingers, and his performances could decide whether Stoke can stick it out in the promotion race after years of second-tier obscurity.