EJ Johnson (soccer)

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EJ Johnson
Personal information
Full name Emmanuel Johnson
Date of birth (2003-05-11) May 11, 2003 (age 20)
Place of birth Fairfield, California, United States
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Position(s) Defender, winger, forward
Team information
Current team
 Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
Number 9
Youth career
0000–2016 Northbay Elite
2016–2021 Sacramento Republic
2021–2022 Barça Residency Academy
2022– Hibernian
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022–2024 Hibernian 0 (0)
2022 → Charleston Battery (loan) 13 (1)
2022–2023 → FC Edinburgh (loan) 12 (2)
2023 → Austin FC II (loan) 21 (1)
2024– Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18:15, September 25, 2023 (UTC)

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[edit]

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[edit]

Hibernian[edit]

Charleston Battery loan[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

As of September 29, 2023[15]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club League Season League Domestic cup Continental Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Charleston Battery USL Championship 2022 13 1 1[a] 0 – – 14 1
FC Edinburgh Scottish League One 2022 12 2 – – – 12 2
Hibernian II Scottish Challenge Cup 2022 0 0 – – 1[b] 0 1 0
Austin FC II MLS Next Pro 2023 21 1 – – 2[c] 0 23 1
Career total 46 5 1 0 0 0 3 0 50 5
  1. ^ Appearance(s) in 2022 U.S. Open Cup
  2. ^ Appearance(s) in 2022-23 Scottish Challenge Cup
  3. ^ Appearance(s) in MLSNP Playoffs

Honors[edit]

Austin FC II

  • MLS Next Pro Cup: Champions – 2023

References[edit]

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