Serving as Derby County’s second deadline day signing and the ninth summer addition overall, dcfc.co.uk takes an exclusive look back at Bradley Johnson’s career illustrious career to date.
Serving as Derby County’s second deadline day signing and the ninth summer addition overall, dcfc.co.uk takes an exclusive look back at Bradley Johnson’s career illustrious career to date.
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The London born midfielder began his career amongst the youth ranks at his boyhood club, Arsenal, before being released at the age of fifteen.Upon his release, Johnson made a number of appearances for non-league side Waltham Forest before being snapped up by League 2 side, Cambridge United, as a trainee.After just one appearance in the first team for United, Johnson was transferred to fellow League 2 rivals, Northampton Town, in the hope of more first team football.The midfield maestro made over 50 appearances for the Cobblers during a three year tenure – his time at Northampton also included two separate loan spells at Ebbsfleet United and Stevenage Borough.With the arrival of Stuart Gray as manager of Northampton, Johnson was handed a regular starting place within the starting 11 as a reward for his impressive displays.On the 4th January, 2008, the in-demand Johnson joined Championship side, Leeds United, on a three-and-a-half year deal despite interest from the likes of Queens Park Rangers and Leicester City.The midfielder made his first appearance for the Leeds just ten days later and scored his first career goal for the club in a league clash against Bournemouth.With tough completion for a place in the first team, Johnson was loaned out to the League 1 outfit Brighton & Hove Albion in order to gain more first team experience. This proved to be an extremely successful spell as the midfielder netted five goals in just 10 games.After Leeds appointed Simon Grayson as there new manager, Johnson returned to Elland Road towards the end of the 2008/09 season and was justly handed a first team place– which he retained until his departure to Norwich in 2011.During Johnson’s time at Leeds, the midfielder tallied up an impressive 140 appearances in all competitions, making him an invaluable member of the squad and inevitably attracting attention from several Premier League clubs.In the summer of 2011, Norwich secured the signature of the, sought-after midfielder – where he remained until he was signed by Derby on transfer deadline day.Johnson was handed his first Premier League start on the opening day of the 2011/12 season at Carrow Road.It wasn’t long before the midfielder netted his first goal for the Canaries when a convincing headed effort beat the, then Premier League side, Bolton Wanderers.The 2012/13 season was arguably Johnson’s most fruitful as the central midfielder contributed to his side achieving a respectable 11th place finish. Johnson’s impressive displays made him popular amongst the East Anglian crowds; he was named Norwich’s 3rd best player of season – as voted for by the fans.Norwich’s following season proved to be difficult after they suffered relegation from the Premier League. Nevertheless Johnson still managed to impress with various man of the match performances – most notably against Tottenham when he orchestrated a 1-0 victory.In recent times, Johnson played a key part in Norwich’s 2014/15 successful bid to bounce back to the promise land. The 28-year-old made 44 league appearances for the Canaries, netting 10 goals while doing so - this included Norwich’s penultimate game in the Championship Play-off Final.
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