Max Johnstone appeared as a trialist for Leeds United this summer in a 5-1 win over Tadcaster Albion, but the former Manchester United goalkeeper will not be moving to Elland Road.
Johnstone, 20, played the entire 90 minutes and only conceded due to a poor back pass from Leif Davis against the non-league side. Leeds won thanks to goals from Jack Clarke, Robbie Gotts and a Ryan Edmondson hat-trick.
The Preston-born goalkeeper started out at Manchester United along with elder brother Sam Johnstone – now West Bromwich Albion’s number one. He played once for the club’s reserve side before joining Sunderland last summer.
But after conceding 20 goals in just seven Premier League 2 outings for the Black Cats, Johnstone was told he could leave this summer and was on trial at Leeds in a bid to win a deal. Instead, he has joined Scottish side St. Johnstone.
TBR’s view – Johnstone perhaps needed at Leeds now
The Whites are reportedly set to sell Bailey Peacock-Farrell to Premier League side Burnley for £3.5million this week, with the Northern Ireland international considered back-up to Kiko Casilla.
It leaves the Whites with just Will Huffer and Kamil Miazek as back-up between the sticks, while released goalkeeper Josh Rae appeared on the bench against Serie A side Cagliari.
Perhaps, Leeds should have given Johnstone a contract if they felt that Peacock-Farrell was going to leave the club.
