Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford City 'beaten' to signing of outgoing Bolton Wanderers man by Luton Town

Luton Town have reportedly beaten Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford City to the signing of defender George Johnston.

The 27-year-old recently captained Bolton Wanderers to a League One play-off final victory over Stockport County, only to be released after promotion celebrations.

As soon as it emerged he was due to join the free agent market, the centre-back was linked with a clutch of League One clubs.

Luton Town tipped to win George Johnston race

According to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Luton have won the race to land the former Liverpool prospect ahead of the likes of Wednesday and Bradford.

Posting on X, he said: “Understand Luton have won the race to sign former Bolton captain George Johnston on a free.

“The centre-back is due for a medical at Kenilworth Road with the Hatters beating off interest from the likes of Sheffield Wednesday, Bradford and Stockport [County].”

Big summers ahead for Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford City

Johnston would arguably be a shrewd signing for the Owls or the Bantams, although both do have plenty of time to look elsewhere.

Wednesday have not yet made a foray into the transfer market but Bradford recently kicked off their summer of recruitment by signing forward Jake Beesley from Burton Albion.

The move marked a return to Bradford for Beesley, who enjoyed a goal-laden 2018/19 campaign on loan at Bradford (Park Avenue) in the sixth tier of English football.

Wednesday, meanwhile, have been credited with interest in outgoing Stockport County playmaker Odin Bailey. A product of Birmingham City’s academy, Bailey was part of the Stockport team beaten by Bolton in the League One play-off final last month.

There has also been talk of Wednesday interest in Reading midfielder Andy Rinomhota, who had a spell in Yorkshire with Rotherham United in 2024.

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