Flamengo make surprise move for Irish dribbler | OneFootball

Flamengo are set to land Irish winger Mikey Johnston from West Bromwich Albion, with the transfer reportedly worth around £5 million plus add-ons, according to Globo, Lance, and Express & Star. The 26-year-old is expected in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday to finalise the move, as Flamengo seek to strengthen their flanks ahead of the next stage of the season.

Johnston, born in Scotland in 1999, progressed through Celtic’s youth ranks before making his senior debut in 2017. During his time at Celtic, he featured in 93 matches, tallying 13 goals and 12 assists. He spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Vitória de Guimarães in Portugal, registering three goals and five assists in 31 appearances—form that drew the attention of Flamengo’s football director José Boto, who has followed Johnston closely since his stint in Portugal.

Last season marked Johnston’s best spell statistically in English football. After an initial loan, West Brom made his transfer permanent in August 2024 for a reported €3.5 million. He went on to make 41 appearances (25 starts) in the Championship, contributing three goals and five assists as the club finished ninth. His overall campaign impressed with 84% pass accuracy, 129 duels won, and 90 balls recovered, though his finishing remains an area for improvement, averaging 1.6 shots per game and a modest conversion rate of 5%.

On the international stage, Johnston, who holds Irish nationality, has made 15 appearances and scored twice for the Republic of Ireland’s senior team, after changing allegiance from Scotland’s youth sides. He is not currently in the Irish squad for the June friendlies but featured in UEFA Nations League qualifiers in March.

Flamengo’s pursuit of Johnston aligns with their strategy to add depth and variety in attack. The club had targeted a “dribbler capable of unlocking tight defences,” with Boto explaining, “For how we play and what we face in Brazil, we often encounter very low blocks. We’ve been looking for a winger who can beat defenders and create space, someone who brings directness and unpredictability.”

Johnston typically operates as an inverted winger on the left but is comfortable on either flank and as a left-sided midfielder. His attributes—pace, dribbling ability, and movement across the final third—fit Flamengo’s need for players able to stretch packed defensive lines and offer rotation for manager Filipe Luís.

Across all competitions, Johnston has played nearly 200 senior games, contributing 31 goals and 26 assists. The transfer, structured with performance-related clauses, reflects Flamengo’s belief that the former Celtic man can adapt and provide the extra spark needed in Brazilian football’s demanding environment.

(Sources: Globo, Lance, Express & Star)

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