EJ Johnson (soccer) explained

EJ Johnson
Fullname:Emmanuel Johnson
Birth Date:11 May 2003
Birth Place:Fairfield, California, United States
Height:6inchesft0inchesin (ftin)
Position:Defender, winger, forward
Currentclub:Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
Clubnumber:9
Youthyears1:–2016
Youthclubs1:Northbay Elite
Youthyears2:2016–2021
Youthclubs2:Sacramento Republic
Youthyears3:2021–2022
Youthclubs3:Barça Residency Academy
Youthyears4:2022–
Youthclubs4:Hibernian
Years1:2022–2024
Clubs1:Hibernian
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2022
Clubs2:Charleston Battery (loan)
Caps2:13
Goals2:1
Years3:2022–2023
Clubs3:FC Edinburgh (loan)
Caps3:12
Goals3:2
Years4:2023
Clubs4:Austin FC II (loan)
Caps4:21
Goals4:1
Club-Update:18:15, September 25, 2023 (UTC)
Years5:2024–
Clubs5:Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
Caps5:0
Goals5:0

Emmanuel "EJ" Johnson (born May 11, 2003) is an American soccer player who currently plays in any position for the USL Championship club, Pittsburgh Riverhounds. He has previously played for Scottish clubs Hibernian and FC Edinburgh, and in the U.S. for USL Championship team Charleston Battery and MLS Next Pro side Austin FC II.

Youth career

Emmanuel "EJ" Johnson played club soccer with Northbay Elite FC, before joining the Sacramento Republic academy in 2016, where he went on to make 90 appearances across various age group competitions through to 2020, tallying 29 goals in that time. In April 2021, Johnson signed a USL academy contract with Sacramento, making him eligible for the club's first-team in the USL Championship.[1] Johnson joined the Barça Residency Academy in the United States in August 2021, before verbally committing to play college soccer at the University of California, Berkeley in 2022.[2]

Professional career

Hibernian

Charleston Battery loan

On February 10, 2022, Johnson signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with Scottish Premiership club Hibernian.[3] After signing with Hibernian, Johnson was immediately loaned to USL Championship side Charleston Battery for their 2022 season.[4] Johnson made his professional debut with Charleston on March 12, 2022, appearing as a 64th–minute substitute during a 1–0 victory over FC Tulsa.[5] On June 4, 2022, Johnson scored his first professional goal for Charleston against Indy Eleven.[6]

Hibernian F.C. Reserves

After securing a UK work permit, Johnson was recalled by Hibernian and ended his loan with the Battery on June 16, 2022.[7] Johnson was recalled from his loan to Charleston Battery in June 2022, as he obtained a UK work permit and was added to the Hibs development squad.[8] He was then loaned to Scottish League One club Edinburgh in July 2022.[9]

Austin FC II loan

On 31 January 2023, Johnson changed his loan club, this time returning to the US to join MLS Next Pro side Austin FC II, the reserve team of Austin FC. Austin retained an option to make the move permanent.[10] Johnson played in 21 games as a winger for Austin FC II throughout the season they won the 2023 MLS Next Pro Cup.[11]

Johnson was released from his contract by Hibernian in January 2024.[12]

Pittsburgh Riverhounds

On March 8, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds signed EJ Johnson on a 1-year deal only one day prior to their first game of the season against New Mexico United.[13] [14]

Career statistics

[15]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubLeagueSeasonLeagueDomestic cupContinentalOtherTotal
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Charleston BatteryUSL Championship202213110141
FC EdinburghScottish League One2022122122
Hibernian IIScottish Challenge Cup2022001010
Austin FC IIMLS Next Pro202321120231
Career total465100030505

Honors

Austin FC II

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sacramento Republic signs five MLS NEXT players to first team.
  2. Web site: Emmanuel Johnson Signs First Pro Contract with Hibernian FC. February 10, 2022.
  3. Web site: Hibs Sign Promising US Defender Emmanuel Johnson. Hibernian FC.
  4. Web site: Battery Add EJ Johnson on Loan from Hibernian.
  5. Web site: Match Center | USLChampionship.com. www.uslchampionship.com.
  6. Web site: Johnson concludes successful Battery loan, returns to Hibernian. uslchampionship.com. 16 June 2022. 16 June 2022.
  7. Web site: EJ Johnson concludes successful Battery loan, returns to Hibernian .
  8. News: Hibs recall winger EJ Johnson from Charleston Battery . Edinburgh Evening News . 16 June 2022 . 16 June 2022 . Patrick . McPartlin.
  9. Web site: Hibs loan Emmanuel Johnson to partner club FC Edinburgh . Edinburgh Evening News . 29 July 2022 . 30 July 2022 . Patrick . McPartlin.
  10. Web site: Austin FC II Signs Emmanuel Johnson . January 31, 2023. Austin FC. January 31, 2023.
  11. News: Gordon . Colby . October 22, 2023 . Austin FC II rallies late in second half to win MLS Next Pro Cup . Austin American-Statesman. October 23, 2023.
  12. Web site: Emmanuel Johnson Departs Hibs . Hibernian FC . 23 January 2024 . 23 January 2024.
  13. Web site: Hounds reach deal with young forward Johnson . 2024-03-09 . Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC . en-US.
  14. Web site: Krysinsky . John . 2024-03-08 . Preview: Sizing up Riverhounds' mile-high challenge in season opener at New Mexico . 2024-03-09 . Pittsburgh Soccer Now . en-US.
  15. Web site: E. Johnson. Soccerway. January 31, 2023.