Charlton Athletic have confirmed that goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott has signed for Scottish Premiership outfit Hibernian on a permanent deal, according to their official website.
The Ghanaian shot-stopper, who had previous spells at the likes of Forest Green Rovers and Swindon Town, leaves The Valley to reunite with former boss Lee Johnson. He previously played under the former Sunderland manager at Bristol City and he joins the Scottish side for an undisclosed fee ahead of Hibernian’s upcoming European and domestic campaign.
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Who is Jojo Wollacott?
Born in England but represents Ghana at international level, goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott had previously come through the ranks of Championship side Bristol City, failing to make an appearance for the Robins as he embarked on a number of different loan spells at the likes of Weymouth, Bath City, Truro City and Gloucester City.
Still contracted to the Ashton Gate outfit, the Ghanaian’s first taste of EFL football would come during a loan spell at Forest Green Rovers in 2019 in which Wollacott would keep an impressive nine clean sheets in 15 appearances for the club throughout the 2019/20 League Two season.
Upon leaving Bristol City, Wollacott would proceed to sign for Swindon Town in June 2021 on a one-year deal after briefly joining the club midway through the previous campaign as an emergency loan signing.
During his one season at the County Ground, the 26-year-old made 41 appearances for the club, keeping 11 clean sheets as Swindon made the League Two playoffs after finishing sixth in the table on 77 points, missing out on a place at Wembley at the semi-finals stage to eventual winners Port Vale.
Following the expiration of his contract with Swindon, Wollacott would then make the move to League One to join Charlton Athletic on a three-year deal in June 2022, joining boss Ben Garner who also made the move from The County Ground to The Valley that summer. Wollacott would go on to appear 20 times in all competitions for the Addicks during his time at the club, keeping five clean sheets.
What’s been said?
Following on from the news of his departure from The Valley, Addicks boss Dean Holden told Charlton’s official website that the move to Scotland is a good fit for the 26-year-old goalkeeper and that he leaves the League One side with his best wishes.
“Jojo was very unfortunate with the timing of his finger injury last season. He wants to be playing football regularly and ultimately winning back that starting jersey for Ghana,” said Holden.
“Since I’ve come in, Ashley Maynard-Brewer has been excellent so Jojo wasn’t going to get the games he wanted and needed here.
“The move works well for him and gives us an opportunity to freshen up our goalkeeping options. We wish him well.”
Speaking on the acquisition of the Ghanian international on Hibernian’s official website, boss Lee Johnson was delighted to get the signing of Jojo Wollacott over the line, as well as outlining what his main attributes are as a goalkeeper.
Johnson added: “We’re delighted to bring Jojo to the Club and I’m looking forward to working with him again.
“He’s a player I’ve known for some time and it’s great to see that he’s starting to fulfil his potential. He now has over 100 games under his belt and has played on the international stage with Ghana.
“He’s an athletic, brave, and confident goalkeeper, and with big competitions coming up it’s important we’re strong in the goalkeeping department.”
Writer’s View
With the news that Jojo Wollacott has made the move to Scotland to join Hibernian, I think it’s a good fit. Not only is he joining up with former manager Lee Johnson who he worked under during his time at Bristol City, but he will also potentially get to prove himself in Europe as well as he continues to push for the number one spot for the Ghanaian national team, as well as for his new club.
On his day, Wollacott is a top goalkeeper and even though he didn’t maybe have the biggest impact whilst at Charlton Athletic, any club would be lucky to have him around and with him signing for a club like Hibernian, the 26-year-old will add cover and strength to the goalkeeping department at the club ahead of the new Scottish Premiership season.
