Hirst and Johnson Closing in On Stoke Moves
Wednesday, 19th Aug 2026 09:28
George Hirst is set to undergo his medical at Stoke City later today with Ben Johnson also joining the Potters on loan.
According to the _[Daily Telegraph](https://x.com/JPercyTelegraph/status/2089971295039410193)_ an initial fee of £6 million plus a further £4 million in add-ons has been agreed for the Scotland international. Johnson will join him at the bet365Stadium on a season-long loan.
Hirst was left out of the party which travelled for last week’s mini-training camp in Germany with Town and the Potters in discussions regarding the Scotland international joining the Championship side, whose interest first emerged at the end of last month.
Stoke wanted a season-long loan, while the Blues were insisting on a permanent switch for the 27-year-old.
Johnson has always appeared one of those who would move on this summer having never established himself as a first-team regular since signing on a free transfer after leaving West Ham in the summer of 2024.
The Londoner, who has two years left on his Town deal, has made 27 starts and 20 sub appearances for the Blues, scoring three times.
Earlier this month, Stoke, whose sporting director is former Town captain Jon Walters, agreed a fee with Town for another full-back, Harry Clarke, but that move broke down and the former Arsenal academy man subsequently joined Preston.
Hirst, who is in contract until the summer of 2029, played a big part in Town’s three promotions in four years having joined from Leicester, initially on loan, midway through the 2022/23 League One campaign. The move was made permanent for £1.5 million that summer.
The son of Sheffield Wednesday legend David, Hirst has made 73 starts and 52 sub appearances for Town, scoring 30 goals, including some of the most important and memorable of the Kieran McKenna era.
_Photo: Matchday Images_