GEORGE Johnston has talked for the first time about relaunching his career with Luton Town after leaving Bolton Wanderers this summer.
The defender turned down a number of offers from England and Scotland to continue in League One with the Hatters, who just missed out on the play-offs last season after a barnstorming late run.
Johnston helped Bolton get over the line at Wembley and is now looking forward to starting a new chapter under Jack Wilshere, where he will look to put another promotion on his CV.
“I’m really happy to get this deal done,” he told Luton Town.
“Playing at Kenilworth Road earlier in the season, I loved the atmosphere and the history of the club. Speaking to the gaffer, it was something that I wanted to do, to continue to learn under him and play for him.
“As soon as I knew I wasn’t staying at Bolton there were a few options that came up, but Luton was always at the forefront of my mind and where my attention was heading from the start.
“The improvement in results last season was well documented. Everyone knew that Luton from January onwards were a top of the table side and they are building something really special here. It’s something I wanted to be part of.”
Wilshere feels that Johnston, who made 191 appearances for Wanderers in his five years with the club, is exactly the type of character he needs to mount a promotion challenge this season.
“We’re really pleased to get George through the door. He’s one we knew about through playing against him earlier in the season and we’ve tracked him for a few months.
“As soon as it became clear he wasn’t going to be staying with Bolton, George became a priority for us to sign him. Not only is he a very good footballer who will suit our style and identity, he’s a proven winner and a real leader.
“I always say about experiencing something being the best way to learn, and we couldn’t have signed anyone with more recent success in this division on their CV than we have with George.
“He’s captained a very good Bolton side to victory at Wembley and I know from people I’ve spoken to about him, and from our conversations over recent weeks, that we have got ourselves a top person as well as a top player.”
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