According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Crystal Palace have now reached a ‘full agreement’ to sign West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.

The Lowdown: Johnstone departs the Hawthorns

The 29-year-old has been a regular feature between the sticks for the Baggies ever since arriving at the Hawthorns back in 2018, but the club recently confirmed that the shot-stopper wouldn’t be putting pen to paper on a new deal upon the expiration of his contract, meaning that he is now a free agent.

Premier League giants Tottenham and Manchester United, alongside the Eagles, are all thought to have registered interest in securing the Preston-born talent’s services this summer, but it appears as though Patrick Vieira’s side have done enough to fend off their strong competitors and make their first summer signing.

The Latest: Romano confirms Palace deal

Taking to Twitter, Romano confirmed that Johnstone has now agreed a deal to join Palace. He wrote:

“Goalkeepers update. Sam Johnstone has reached full agreement to join Crystal Palace on a free transfer, deal in place.”

The Verdict: Great competition for Guaita

With second-choice goalkeeper Jack Butland likely to be heading for the Selhurst Park exit door, Vieira will want to bring someone in who can really challenge Vicente Guaita for that number one jersey, and Johnstone is the perfect man to do just that.

The three-cap international has got a great record in goal, having kept a total of 15 clean sheets in just 36 Championship appearances under Steve Bruce last season, per Transfermarkt, and already has plenty of top-flight experience under his belt, once dubbed 'one of the best' by Sam Allardyce after a 1-1 draw at Liverpool.

At the time of those comments from 'Big Sam', Johnstone had the most saves in the Premier League, so he'd certainly done enough to justify that claim.

The 6 foot 2 colossus will no doubt have been desperate to make the jump back up to the Premier League, and having that status back against his name could potentially put him in a stronger position to regain a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad ahead of the World Cup.