Wolverhampton Wanderers have allowed goalkeeper Sam Johnstone to join Celtic on a loan deal. The 33-year-old former England international moves north to provide competition for Finland's Viljami Sinisalo at the Scottish champions.
Johnstone's last appearance for Wolves came in an FA Cup loss to Liverpool in early March. He had made 17 appearances last season before losing his starting place in December, with his final Premier League outing for the relegated side also coming that month. His career began at Manchester United and includes spells at Aston Villa, West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace. He has four senior England caps, the last earned in 2023.
Celtic's goalkeeping situation required attention following the retirement of Kasper Schmeichel in February 2026 due to a shoulder injury. Manager Martin O'Neill's current options were limited to Viljami Sinisalo and Ross Doohan. Bringing in an experienced figure like Johnstone, who has over a decade of top-flight experience, offers immediate depth and a challenge for the starting role. The club also completed a loan for Chelsea's young striker Shumaira Mheuka on the same day, but the focus for the first team was squarely on securing a reliable deputy.
Johnstone was evidently eager for the move. "I'm buzzing to be here and I'm excited to get going," he said upon signing. He also revealed that former Celtic keeper Joe Hart had given the club a glowing endorsement. "I didn't need convincing by anyone, but Joe Hart rang me the other day just to reiterate what a place this is, what a great group of lads and how the fans are unbelievable."
The loan move indicates Johnstone was not in the immediate plans for Wolves' Championship campaign. It allows the player to seek regular football at a high level while potentially freeing up a portion of the wage bill. Wolves' own squad depth will now be assessed, with the club's fixtures for the new season offering a clear picture of the challenges ahead. The deal was formally completed on 18 June.
For Celtic, the acquisition is a short-term solution that brings a proven performer. Johnstone's contract situation at Molineux was not detailed in the report, but his immediate future lies in Glasgow. His primary task will be to push Sinisalo, who will be looking to cement his own place after Schmeichel's departure.
Alongside Johnstone, Celtic secured 18-year-old striker Shumaira Mheuka on loan from Chelsea. Mheuka has recently extended his contract with the London club until 2031. He made nine senior appearances for Chelsea, including four in the 2024-25 Conference League, and captained the Under-21 side to impressive effect last season, scoring 18 goals in just 19 games. This double loan swoop addresses two different areas of the pitch for Martin O'Neill's side as they prepare for domestic and European commitments.
The immediate next step for Johnstone is to integrate with his new teammates and fight for selection. Celtic's upcoming standings in both the Scottish Premiership and their European group will be heavily influenced by defensive solidity, making his experience a valuable asset. His last competitive action was that FA Cup tie against Liverpool over five months ago.
