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Crystal Palace have agreed a deal in the region of £35m to sign Tottenham Hotspur winger Brennan Johnson.

The 24-year-old scored the winner in the 2024/25 Europa League Final against Manchester United as Spurs ended their 17-year trophy drought.

The 20 year-old Tottenham Hotspur forward was hot property following an impressive loan stint in League One with Leyton Orient last term, where he scored eight goals and provided 10 assists as the Os made the Play-Off Final.

Although several Championship sides were keen on his signature, Stoke got the deal over the line.

Donley said: “I had a few teams after me but I decided on Stoke when the gaffer [Mark Robins] called while I was away on tour with Spurs.

“The way he wants to play, both in terms of attacking and defending, definitely suits me.

“I’ve heard a lot about the coaching staff and how the manager improves young players. You can see that in the history he's had in working with different teams.

“I'm very much a team player, Stoke City fans can know I’ll work really hard, whether that’s defensively or making options to receive the ball to play forward.

“I enjoyed a really positive loan last year, I know about the pressure of men’s football now and how people look to you to contribute in games. I took to that pressure well and I want to carry that on here at Stoke City."

The Antrim-born footballer switched allegiances from England to Northern Ireland earlier this year, after winning caps at Under 17 and Under 19 level for the Three Lions. He made his senior debut for Michael O’Neill men against Switzerland in March and has since won two more caps.

The 20 year-old Tottenham Hotspur forward is hot property following an impressive loan stint in League One with Leyton Orient last term, where he scored eight goals and provided 10 assists as the Os made the Play-Off Final.

Although several Championship side are keen on his signature, Stoke not looks like his most likely destination for another loan spell, with Spurs reluctant to sell their talented youth product.

The Antrim-born footballer switched allegiances from England to Northern Ireland earlier this year, after winning caps at Under 17 and Under 19 level for the Three Lions. He made his senior debut for Michael O’Neill men against Switzerland in March and has since won two more caps.

It is the eve of Tottenham Hotspur’s biggest game in six years, and one of the biggest in their history, but you wouldn’t have necessarily thought that from the discussion that dominated the pre-match duties. One scene immediately attracted everyone’s attention. There was tension, and consequently some theatre.

It lamentably had nothing to do with the actual football, although it has an awful lot to do with one of the stories framing this Final: Ange Postecoglou’s future, and his general approach.

The attack-minded midfielder is currently on loan at League One side Leyton Orient from Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur.

The 20 year-old has scored eight league goals in 30 appearances for the Os this term, producing a string of eye-catching display.

West Brom have made a modest £1.5m bid for the Antrim native, in an attempt to prize him away from Spurs where he still has two years left on his current contract. Alternatively, Donley could join the Hawthorns club on a season-long loan deal.

If the Baggies are successful, Donley will link-up with international teammate Isaac Price.

Donley switched his allegiance from England to Northern Ireland in March, just days before making his senior debut against Switzerland at Windsor Park.

Northern Ireland defender keen to sign new deal at Football League club

The 20-year-old Antrim born Spurs player received a warm welcome from the Windsor Park crowd on Friday coming on for his senior international debut as a second half substitute against Switzerland in the 1-1 draw, almost winning the friendly late on with a smart header only for visiting goalkeeper Gregor Kobel to make a sharp save.

It’s been a whirlwind week for Donley. Last Sunday the Belfast Telegraph revealed he had been called into the Northern Ireland squad and had started his international transfer from England.

Donley had previously played for both Northern Ireland and England at youth level with his most recent appearances for the latter – then Michael O’Neill phoned his dad last year and so began a process that led to the attacker completing his FIFA international transfer and coming on for the country of his birth versus the Swiss with hopefully a second cap to come on Tuesday in Sweden.

The Donley family moved to England when Jamie was young. His dad is from Northern Ireland and his mum is from London and he joked that she was ‘not happy’ at him switching from the Three Lions to the Green and White Army.

“My dad's been pestering me my whole life to play for Northern Ireland and Michael (O’Neill) was in touch for quite a while about coming over and playing for him,” explained Donley.

“I think it's the right time in my career to make the change and I'm delighted I've done it. Hopefully it's the right decision.

“My mum's not happy with me playing for these but all the stuff my dad's done for me, I think I'll go with him on this one.

“He supports Tottenham so he always used to fly over from here to support them and he's been to many Northern Ireland games as well.

“My Dad helps me a lot and we obviously have conversations about what he thinks is best for me and my career.

“Dad couldn't make the game against Switzerland as he's on holiday which I'm disappointed about but he's flying out to Sweden and hopefully I'll get some minutes out there.

“I was delighted to play on Friday. To make my debut is a really proud moment for me and my family.

“Once I knew I was coming over, that was my aim, to play for Northern Ireland and hopefully I can get many more caps.”

On the crowd reaction to his arrival, Donley, who has impressed on loan at Leyton Orient this season, said: “Even going out for the warm-up, the atmosphere was amazing. The applause I got made me strive to do well for the crowd. I want to show them what I can do.”

And on almost scoring from a near post corner on his debut: “I didn't know what my role was from the corner. I thought let me just get across the front here. It was a good ball and I knew it was coming to my head. I had to try and get the smallest of touches. It was on target, obviously it would have been better had it gone in.”

Paying tribute to O’Neill on the role he played in the international transfer, Donley said: “Michael has been unbelievable the way he's sorted it out. He gave me my space to make my decision.

“Michael said they've lacked that a little bit - a goalscorer, someone who can create and score goals. I try to score and create goals. That's my job as an attacking player. Hopefully he can put his trust in me to do that for the team.”

Asked if there was anything along with his dad and O’Neill that swung it for him to declare for Northern Ireland, Donley responded: “How young and promising the group is. Michael said in the changing room after the (Swiss) game that the front six were all below 21 and we didn't look out of place. I'm a young player as well and that helps me to fit in.”

It’s evident that Leyton Orient team-mate Ethan Galbraith, excellent against Switzerland, was in Donley’s ear about the move.

“I thought Ethan was one of the best players on Friday night. I get on really well with him. He told me every day in training to come play for Northern Ireland. He said the lads were good and that it was a great environment and it hasn't disappointed, really.”

Donley adds that the incredible skill he showed that led to a goal for Leyton Orient in the FA Cup against Manchester City in February “definitely helped with my career. I've been able to show the Orient fans what I'm capable of. I think coming to play here for Northern Ireland will help my career and put my career to the next level.”

That next level may be with Tottenham who Donley has been with since he was a kid, making his Premier League debut for them as a late substitute in 2023.

“Next season I'll go back and do pre-season there,” he said.

“My aim obviously is to be a Tottenham player. That's what I want to do and that's what I want to be.

“Hopefully I can strive to do that. When I come back in pre-season hopefully I can show what I've been doing for Leyton Orient in training and in games.”

The 20-year-old keeps a close eye on all things Spurs and has huge admiration for experienced fan favourite Son.

“That's my captain. I look up to him. He's an unbelievable player and professional. He's got loads of years left. I definitely look up to him,” said Donley.

On Tuesday in Sweden, Donley could come face to face with Tottenham’s Lucas Bergvall who he says has been ‘unbelievable this season’.

He said: “Sweden are a big nation but we've done well against Switzerland and we'll try and do the same on Tuesday. Hopefully I'll get the start and if not I'll be ready to come on and hopefully we can beat them.”

‘It was off the cuff’: Northern Ireland’s goalscoring hero on his Windsor Park wonderstrike