Bolton Wanderers officially release former Liverpool defender
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Bolton Wanderers are the latest club to release their retained lists having recently been promoted to the Championship. Image Credits: Imago ImagesThe end of the football season always brings with it a familiar ritual – the release and retained lists.For clubs across the EFL, it is the moment of truth: who stays, who goes, and who gets the chance to write the next chapter elsewhere.
This year, Bolton Wanderers have had extra reason to celebrate as they publish theirs, having just secured a return to the Championship in stunning fashion.Steven Schumacher’s side capped off a memorable 2025/26 campaign by dismantling Stockport County 4-1 in the League One play-off final at Wembley last Sunday.It was a fitting end to a long journey back to the second tier, a level the club had not graced since 2019 after years of administration and turmoil.However, not everyone will be making that trip up to the Championship. Among the departures confirmed in the club’s official retained list is former Liverpool centre-back George Johnston.Johnston joined the Reds’ Academy at just nine years old, progressing through the youth ranks to captain Liverpool’s U23 side.While he was highly rated at academy level, a lack of senior minutes meant that he made the decision to leave Merseyside in 2019, joining Eredivisie giants Feyenoord in a deal worth around £300,000.After failing to fully breakthrough in the Netherlands, he returned to England and signed for Bolton in June 2021.Over the past five seasons, the now 27-year-old became one of the most important figures at the club, racking up 188 appearances and wearing the captain’s armband in Sunday’s Wembley triumph.He departs as Bolton’s longest-serving senior player, the ultimate servant, but will not be part of their Championship adventure.Johnston now enters the summer as a free agent, and with five years of League One experience, a promotion winner’s medal, and Liverpool academy education in his back pocket, he will not be short of suitors.Meanwhile, Bolton are believed to be looking at a bringing Luca Stephenson to the club next season, with the Liverpool talent spending this past 2025/26 season on loan at Dundee United.
Bolton Wanderers George Johnston