Ryan Johnson (footballer, born 1996)

Last updated

Ryan Johnson
Ryan Johnson 15022025 (1).jpg
Johnson in 2025
Personal information
Full name Ryan Anthony Johnson [1]
Date of birth (1996-10-02) 2 October 1996 (age 28) [2]
Place of birth Birmingham, England [3]
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) [2]
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 AFC Wimbledon
Number 6
Youth career
2006–2013 West Bromwich Albion
2013–2014 Stevenage
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2014–2019 Stevenage 13 (0)
2014 → Boreham Wood (loan) 1 (0)
2016 → St Albans City (loan) 12 (2)
2017–2018 → Boreham Wood (loan) 2 (0)
2018 → Nuneaton Town (loan) 19 (0)
2018–2019 → Kidderminster Harriers (loan) 19 (0)
2019–2020 Kidderminster Harriers 44 (2)
2020 Rushall Olympic 1 (0)
2020–2021 Hartlepool United 33 (5)
2021–2022 Port Vale 4 (0)
2022–2023 Stockport County 49 (3)
2023– AFC Wimbledon 78 (1)
International career
2015–2018 Northern Ireland U21 14 (2)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 12:45, 16 September 2025 (UTC)

Ryan Anthony Johnson (born 2 October 1996) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for EFL League One club AFC Wimbledon. He has also represented Northern Ireland at under-21 level.

Contents

Johnson began his career in the youth academy at West Bromwich Albion before joining Stevenage of League One in 2013. He made his first-team debut in May 2014, becoming the club's youngest player in the English Football League. During his time at Stevenage, he had two separate loan spells at Boreham Wood, and also spent time on loan with St Albans City, Nuneaton Town, and Kidderminster Harriers. He signed for Kidderminster on a permanent basis in January 2019 and spent the next year-and-a-half playing regularly in the National League North.

Following a brief spell at Rushall Olympic, where he made a single appearance, Johnson signed for Hartlepool United in September 2020. He was part of the Hartlepool team that secured promotion to the Football League via the play-offs at the end of the 2020–21 season. Johnson signed for League Two club Port Vale in June 2021, before moving to Stockport County for an undisclosed fee in January 2022. He helped Stockport win the National League title at the end of the 2021–22 season. He signed for AFC Wimbledon in June 2023 and helped the club achieve promotion by winning the 2025 League Two play-off final.

Club career

Stevenage

Johnson began his career in the youth academy at West Bromwich Albion, where he spent seven years as a schoolboy. [4] He was offered a scholarship in the summer of 2013 but opted to join Stevenage instead, believing it would be a better pathway to first-team football. [4] Upon joining Stevenage, he trained regularly with the senior squad while beginning a two-year scholarship. [5] Johnson made his professional debut on the final day of the 2013–14 season, appearing as a substitute in a 2–0 away defeat to Brentford on 3 May 2014. [4] [6] Aged 17 years and 215 days, he became Stevenage's youngest Football League debutant at the time, a record later surpassed by Liam Smyth in October 2018. [4] [7] [8] [9]

Loan spells

All four of Johnson's appearances for Stevenage during the 2014–15 season came in the opening two months of the season. [10] This included receiving a red card for two bookable offences within the space of six minutes in a 2–1 away defeat to Bury on 16 September 2014. [11] A month later, he joined Conference South club Boreham Wood on a one-month loan on 24 October 2014 in order to gain first-team experience. [12] He made one appearance during the brief spell, as a 90th-minute substitute in a 2–1 victory over Maidenhead United on 10 November 2014. [13] He returned to Stevenage later that month and played for the club's development squad for the remainder of the season. [14] The 2015–16 season followed a similar course with Johnson appearing regularly in the match-day squad, but often as an unused substitute, [14] as he made seven appearances for the club during the season. [15]

Ahead of the 2016–17 season, Johnson joined National League South club St Albans City on loan, alongside teammate Dipo Akinyemi, in a deal running until January 2017. [16] The move followed a request for more first-team football, which he discussed with Stevenage manager Darren Sarll. [17] Johnson scored his first competitive goal in St Albans' 2–1 victory over Chelmsford City on 16 August 2016, scoring with a header from a corner kick. [18] He sustained a knee injury while on international duty with the Northern Ireland under-21 team in September 2016, sidelining him for two months. [19] He returned in early December and was recalled by Stevenage later that month, [20] a month earlier than planned. [17] Johnson made 12 appearances for St Albans, scoring twice. [14] In April 2017, he spent a week on trial spells with Tottenham Hotspur and Norwich City, playing in under-23 fixtures for both clubs. [21] [22] [23]

Despite reported interest from Premier League and Championship clubs, [24] Johnson remained at Stevenage and rejoined Boreham Wood on a season-long loan agreement in July 2017. [25] After starting two of the club's first three matches, [26] Johnson did not feature again and the loan was ended in December 2017. [14] He subsequently joined National League North club Nuneaton Town on loan for the remainder of the season on 5 January 2018, reuniting with manager Dino Maamria, who had coached him at Stevenage. [27] Johnson made his Nuneaton debut in a 2–0 loss to Brackley Town on 6 January 2018. [28] He was a mainstay in central defence during his time at Nuneaton, making 19 appearances. [14]

Kidderminster

Johnson was loaned out for a fifth time in June 2018, joining National League North club Kidderminster Harriers on a six-month deal. [29] He made his Kidderminster debut on the opening day of the 2018–19 season, playing the full match in a 3–3 draw away at Alfreton Town. [14] [30] He made 19 league appearances before signing permanently on 4 January 2019 for an undisclosed fee, with Stevenage inserting a "significant sell-on fee" into the transfer. [14] [29] [31] Johnson scored his first goal for the club in a 4–1 victory against Chester on 9 February 2019, [14] [32] and made 36 appearances as Kidderminster finished 10th in National League North. [14] [33] Johnson played 30 times during the 2019–20 season, scoring one goal, in a season that was curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. [14]

Hartlepool United

Without a club at the start of the 2020–21 season, Johnson played one match on non-contract terms for Southern League Premier Division Central club Rushall Olympic. [34] He then joined National League club Hartlepool United following a successful trial, [35] signing a short-term contract on 29 September 2020. [35] He scored the winning goal on his debut in a 2–1 victory against Chesterfield on 6 October 2020. [36] [37] After scoring twice in his first four appearances, his contract was extended on 30 October 2020. [38] Johnson signed a further contract extension on 22 January 2021, with the new agreement running for the remainder of the 2020–21 season. [39] Johnson made 39 appearances and scored five goals as Hartlepool earned promotion to the Football League after defeating Torquay United on penalties in the 2021 National League play-off final. [14] [36] He left Hartlepool at the end of the season after receiving an offer the club said they could not match. [40]

Port Vale

Out of contract upon the conclusion of the promotion-winning season at Hartlepool, Johnson signed for fellow League Two club Port Vale on a two-year contract on 27 June 2021. [41] Port Vale manager Darrell Clarke described him as a "powerful left footed centre-half" with further potential. [7] Johnson found first-team opportunities limited in the first half of the 2021–22 season, [42] [43] starting three league matches and making eight appearances in all competitions during his time there. [42]

Stockport County

Johnson joined National League club Stockport County for an undisclosed fee on 6 January 2022, reuniting with former Hartlepool manager Dave Challinor. [44] Port Vale director of football David Flitcroft confirmed the transfer included add-on clauses. [45] He made his debut for Stockport five days later in a 4–1 victory at Altrincham [46] and scored his first goal in a 3–0 FA Trophy victory against Larkhall Athletic on 15 January 2022. [47] He made 23 appearances in the second half of the 2021–22 season as Stockport returned to the Football League as champions of the National League. [42] [14] [48] He played 33 times during the 2022–23 season, though did not feature in the play-offs. [49] Following play-off final defeat, he was released by the club. [50]

AFC Wimbledon

Ryan Johnson marking Cole Stockton in 2025. Cole Stockton and Ryan Johnson 15022025 (3).jpg
Ryan Johnson marking Cole Stockton in 2025.

Johnson signed a two-year contract with fellow League Two club AFC Wimbledon on 26 June 2023, with the head of football operations Craig Cope describing him as "a real physical presence at the back". [51] [52] He scored his first goal for Wimbledon with a header in a 3–0 win at Sutton United on 19 August. [53] He said he had a "dream start" to the 2023–24 season as he formed a central defensive partnership alongside Stockport County loanee Joe Lewis. [54] He missed two months towards the end of the campaign with an ankle injury, [55] making 38 appearances during his debut season at Wimbledon. [56]

Johnson was appointed vice-captain ahead of the 2024–25 season. [57] He did not play during September due to injury, though returned to captain the team in the absence of club captain Jake Reeves. [58] He was nominated for the PFA League Two Fans' Player of the Month award in February 2025, having played every minute as Wimbledon conceded just one goal in six matches. [59] He played in the 2025 EFL League Two play-off final, helping Wimbledon to secure promotion with a 1–0 victory over Walsall. [60] Having made 49 appearances during the season, [61] Johnson signed a new two-year contract in June 2025, [62] with manager Johnnie Jackson describing him as "a leader within the group and an integral part of our defensive unit". [63]

International career

Born in England, Johnson is of Northern Irish descent through his mother. [64] Johnson received his first call-up to represent Northern Ireland at under-21 level in September 2015, playing the full match in a 2–1 defeat to Scotland in a 2017 UEFA European under-21 Championship qualifier. [65] He scored his first international goal three days later in a 1–1 away draw with Iceland in Reykjavík. [66] Johnson made four appearances, scoring once, as Northern Ireland finished bottom of the qualification group. [14] [67] He remained a regular at centre-back during the subsequent 2019 UEFA European under-21 Championship qualifying campaign. [14]

Johnson received his first call-up to the Northern Ireland senior team on 31 August 2025 for the World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Germany. [68]

Style of play

Johnson is left-footed [41] and has been deployed at left-back and centre-back throughout his career, [35] although prefers to play as a centre-back. [35] During his time at Hartlepool, he was described as a "ball-playing defender" and was utilised as the left-sided centre-back in a three-man central defence during the 2020–21 season. [69]

Career statistics

As of match played 13 September 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeague FA Cup League Cup OtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Stevenage 2013–14 [70] League One 1000000010
2014–15 [10] League Two 40—000040
2015–16 [15] League Two7000000070
2016–17 [14] League Two0000000000
2017–18 [26] League Two1000000010
2018–19 [71] League Two0000000000
Total130000000130
Boreham Wood (loan) 2014–15 [14] Conference South 1000——10
St Albans City (loan) 2016–17 [72] National League South 122——1 [a] 0132
Boreham Wood (loan) 2017–18 [26] National League 20———20
Nuneaton Town (loan) 2017–18 [14] National League North 190———190
Kidderminster Harriers 2018–19 [14] National League North33120—1 [b] 0361
2019–20 [14] National League North30100—00301
Total632200010662
Rushall Olympic 2020–21 [34] SFL Premier Division Central1000—0010
Hartlepool United 2020–21 [14] [36] National League 33520—4 [c] 0395
Port Vale 2021–22 [42] League Two4000004 [d] 080
Stockport County 2021–22 [42] [14] National League213——2 [b] 1234
2022–23 [49] League Two28000203 [d] 2332
Total493002053566
AFC Wimbledon 2023–24 [56] League Two31120203 [d] 0381
2024–25 [61] League Two40020205 [e] 0490
2025–26 [73] League One7000200090
Total781406080961
Career total27513808023331416
  1. ↑ Appearance in Herts Charity Cup
  2. 1 2 Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
  3. ↑ One appearance in FA Trophy; three appearances in 2021 National League play-offs
  4. 1 2 3 Appearances in EFL Trophy
  5. ↑ Two appearances in EFL Trophy; three appearances in 2025 League Two play-offs

Honours

Hartlepool United

Stockport County

AFC Wimbledon

References

  1. ↑ "Retained List 2015–16" (PDF). English Football League. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 December 2016. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  2. 1 2 "Ryan Johnson". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises Limited. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  3. ↑ Jones, Matty (27 June 2021). "Ryan Johnson leaves Hartlepool United for League Two side". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Former West Brom starlet reveals why he quit Hawthorns to pursue career at Stevenage after making club history". Hertfordshire Mercury. 4 May 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
  5. ↑ "Boss Graham Westley won't splash the cash as he targets Sky Bet League Two promotion charge for Stevenage FC next season". Hertfordshire Mercury. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
  6. ↑ "Brentford 2–0 Stevenage". BBC Sport. 3 May 2014. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  7. 1 2 "Ryan Johnson to Join The Valiants". Port Vale F.C. 27 June 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  8. ↑ Whitney, Steve (5 January 2018). "Maamria Returns To Stevenage For A Second Loanee – The Vanarama National League". National League. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  9. ↑ "BoroGuide – Player Records". BoroGuide. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  10. 1 2 "Games played by Ryan Johnson in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
  11. ↑ "Bury 2–1 Stevenage". BBC Sport. 16 September 2014. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  12. ↑ "Ryan Johnson joins Boreham Wood on loan". Stevenage F.C. 24 October 2014. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  13. ↑ "Boreham Wood 2–1 Maidenhead United". Soccerway. 10 November 2014. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 "Soccerway – Ryan Johnson". Soccerway. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  15. 1 2 "Games played by Ryan Johnson in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
  16. ↑ Toyn, Dave (1 August 2016). "Duo join St Albans on loan". Stevenage F.C. Archived from the original on 9 August 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  17. 1 2 Metcalfe, Neil (27 January 2017). "Ryan Johnson thanks St Albans City for everything they did for him but is ready to push on with Stevenage". Hertfordshire Advertiser. Archived from the original on 9 February 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  18. ↑ "St Albans City 2–1 Chelmsford City". Soccerway. 16 August 2016. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
    - "St Albans City v Chelmsford City". St Albans City F.C. 17 August 2016. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  19. ↑ Metcalfe, Neil (8 December 2016). "Ryan Johnson's return from injury a boost for St Albans City and Stevenage". Hertfordshire Advertiser. Archived from the original on 9 February 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  20. ↑ "St Albans City – Ryan Johnson". St Albans City F.C. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  21. ↑ Hemmings, Mark (13 April 2017). "Stevenage defender enjoys week with Tottenham Hotspur". The Comet. Archived from the original on 9 February 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
    - "Everton U23 4–1 Tottenham Hotspur U23". Soccerway. 10 April 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  22. ↑ "Flown from the nest – Ryan Johnson". Flown From The Nest. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  23. ↑ "Norwich City U23s 0 Brighton U23s 0 – Stevenage defender features as young Canaries warm up for semi-final". Eastern Daily Press. 24 April 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
    - "Norwich City U23 0–0 Brighton & Hove Albion U23". Soccerway. 24 April 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  24. ↑ "Tottenham keeping tabs on Stevenage defender Ryan Johnson after successful stint at Hostpur Way". The Evening Standard. 12 April 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  25. ↑ "Ryan Johnson: Boreham Wood sign Stevenage defender on loan". BBC Sport. 14 August 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  26. 1 2 3 "Games played by Ryan Johnson in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  27. ↑ Branowsky, Dan (5 January 2018). "Ryan Johnson joins Nuneaton Town". Stevenage F.C. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
    Philpotts, Chris (23 January 2018). "Stevenage FC youngster had no doubts about Boro deal". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  28. ↑ "Nuneaton Town 0–2 Brackley Town". Soccerway. 6 January 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  29. 1 2 "Kidderminster Harriers – Ryan Johnson". Kidderminster Harriers F.C. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  30. ↑ "Alfreton Town 3–3 Kidderminster Harriers". Soccerway. 4 August 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  31. ↑ Branowsky, Dan (4 January 2019). "Johnson completes permanent move away". Stevenage F.C. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  32. ↑ "Kidderminster Harriers 4–1 Chester". Soccerway. 9 February 2019. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  33. ↑ "National League North – 2018–19 – League Table". Soccerway. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  34. 1 2 "Aylesbury United – Ryan Johnson". Aylesbury United F.C. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  35. 1 2 3 4 "Pools sign Ryan Johnson". Hartlepool United F.C. 29 September 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2021.[ permanent dead link ]
  36. 1 2 3 "Games played by Ryan Johnson in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  37. ↑ Dominic Scurr (7 October 2020). "Story of the night: Chesterfield 1–2 Hartlepool United – debut goal from Ryan Johnson sees Pools continue perfect start to the season". Hartlepool Mail. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  38. ↑ "Ryan Johnson extends contract". Hartlepool United F.C. 30 October 2020. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  39. ↑ "Johnson extends contract". Hartlepool United Football Club. Hartlepool United F.C. 22 January 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  40. ↑ "Retained list- 2021/2022 season". Hartlepool United F.C. 27 June 2021. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  41. 1 2 "Ryan Johnson: Port Vale sign Hartlepool defender on two-year deal". BBC Sport. 27 June 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  42. 1 2 3 4 5 "Games played by Ryan Johnson in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  43. ↑ Baggaley, Michael (29 November 2021). "'Ready' – Ryan Johnson's message as he gets Port Vale chance". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
  44. ↑ "Johnson signs on". Stockport County F.C. 6 January 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  45. ↑ Baggaley, Michael (5 February 2022). "Port Vale and the Devante Rodney and Ryan Johnson transfer clauses". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  46. ↑ "Altrincham 1-4 Stockport County". BBC Sport. 11 January 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  47. ↑ "FA Trophy Match Report: County 3-0 Larkhall Athletic". Stockport County F.C. 15 January 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  48. ↑ "Stockport County crowned champions and seal return to Football League". ITV News. 16 May 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  49. 1 2 "Games played by Ryan Johnson in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  50. ↑ "Released and retained list confirmed". www.stockportcounty.com. Stockport County F.C. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  51. ↑ "Signing six: Experienced centre-back joins". AFC Wimbledon. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  52. ↑ "AFC Wimbledon sign Johnson after Stockport exit". BBC Sport. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  53. ↑ "Sutton United 0–3 AFC Wimbledon". BBC Sport. 19 August 2023. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  54. ↑ "Ryan Johnson on 'dream start' at AFC Wimbledon and partnership alongside Stockport loanee Joe Lewis". South London News. 25 August 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  55. ↑ Cornell, Rob (30 March 2024). ""I'm going back there to win"". AFC Wimbledon. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  56. 1 2 "Games played by Ryan Johnson in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  57. ↑ "Ryan named as vice-captain". AFC Wimbledon. 23 July 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  58. ↑ Baggaley, Mike (24 October 2024). "Striving for more as Wimbledon await". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  59. ↑ "Ryan nominated for PFA award". AFC Wimbledon. 5 March 2025. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  60. 1 2 "AFC Wimbledon 1–0 Walsall: Line-ups". BBC Sport. 26 May 2025. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  61. 1 2 "Games played by Ryan Johnson in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  62. ↑ "Ryan Johnson: AFC Wimbledon defender signs new two-year contract". BBC Sport. 6 June 2025. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  63. ↑ "Ryan signs new deal". AFC Wimbledon. 6 June 2025. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  64. ↑ Slavin, Chris (14 September 2023). "Ryan hits the right note". AFC Wimbledon. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  65. ↑ "Northern Ireland U21 1–2 Scotland U21". Soccerway. 5 September 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  66. ↑ "Iceland U21 1–1 Northern Ireland U21". Soccerway. 8 September 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  67. ↑ "NIFG – Ryan Johnson". NIFG. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  68. ↑ "Ryan Johnson called up to Northern Ireland". AFC Wimbledon. 29 August 2025. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  69. ↑ Jones, Matty (27 June 2021). "Ryan Johnson has left Hartlepool United to join Port Vale". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  70. ↑ "Games played by Ryan Johnson in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
  71. ↑ "Games played by Ryan Johnson in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  72. ↑ "Ryan Johnson – St Albans". St Albans City F.C. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  73. ↑ "Games played by Ryan Johnson in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  74. ↑ Pilnick, Brent (20 June 2021). "Hartlepool United 1–1 Torquay United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  75. ↑ "National League: 2021/22: Current table". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
    "Stockport: Squad details: 2021/22". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
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