Zak Johnson

Zak Johnson

Personal information
Full name	Zak Johnson
Date of birth	(2004-07-30) 30 July 2004 (age 20) [1]
Place of birth	Sunderland, England
Position(s)	Defender
Team information
Current team	Sunderland
Number	41
Youth career
2020–2022	Sunderland
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2021–	Sunderland	0	(0)
2023–2024	→ Hartlepool United (loan)	11	(0)
2023–2024	→ Dundalk (loan)	18	(0)
International career‡
2023–	England U18	2	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18:38, 24 June 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 09:00, 23 September 2023 (UTC)

Zak Johnson (born 30 July 2004) is a professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for EFL Championship side Sunderland.

Playing career

Johnson began his playing career at his hometown club Sunderland and made his first appearance in the EFL Trophy on 13 October 2021 coming on as a substitute in a 2–1 victory against Manchester United U21s. At 16 years and 141 days old, this appearance made Zak the youngest outfield player to play for Sunderland in almost 50 years. ^[2]

On 1 July 2022, it was announced Johnson had signed his first professional contract with Sunderland on a deal lasting until 2025. ^[3]

On 8 August 2023, Johnson made his first start for Sunderland in an EFL Cup defeat against Crewe Alexandra. A month later, he signed a new deal until 2026. ^[4]

Johnson moved to National League side Hartlepool United in September 2023 on a one-month loan deal. ^[5] On 26 October, this loan deal was extended until January 2024. ^[6] On 5 January 2024, it was announced that Johnson's loan spell with Hartlepool had ended. ^[7]

On 14 February 2024, Johnson signed for League of Ireland Premier Division club Dundalk on loan. ^[8] Johnson won the Supporters' Club Player of the Month for March 2024. He returned to Sunderland in June 2024. Johnson said of his loan spell: "I have loved every minute of my time here. The lessons in maturity and self-development have been so valuable, they will stay with me for the rest of my life." ^[9]

International career

In June 2023, Johnson received a call-up to the England U18s squad for an upcoming trip to Portugal. ^[10]

Career statistics

As of match played 13 August 2024

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Sunderland	2021–22 [11]	League One	0	0	0	0	0	0	1 [lower-alpha 1]	0	1	0
	2022–23 [12]	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2023–24 [13]	Championship	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0
	2024–25 [14]	Championship	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0
	Total		0	0	0	0	2	0	1	0	3	0
Hartlepool United (loan)	2023–24 [1]	National League	11	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	12	0
Dundalk (loan)	2024 [1]	LOI Premier Division	18	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	18	0
Career total			29	0	1	0	2	0	1	0	33	0

1. Appearance in EFL Trophy

References

1. "Z.Johnson summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
2. "Sunderland youngster who broke 50-year-old outfield record out for more honours". Chronicle Live. 10 November 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
3. "Trio sign first professional contracts". Sunderland AFC. 1 July 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
4. "Zak Johnson 'delighted' to sign new Sunderland deal". Chronicle Live. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
5. "Zak Johnson signs for Pools". Hartlepool United. 22 September 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
6. "Zak Johnson loan extended". Hartlepool United. 26 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
7. "Loan player movements". Hartlepool United FC. 5 January 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
8. https://www.dundalkfc.com/loan-signing-zak-johnson/
9. "Loan watch: Zak Johnson's success story at Dundalk". Sunderland AFC. 24 June 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
10. "Zak Johnson receives England call-up". Sunderland AFC. 5 June 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
11. "Games played by Zak Johnson in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
12. "Games played by Zak Johnson in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
13. "Games played by Zak Johnson in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
14. "Games played by Zak Johnson in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 July 2024.

External links

• Zak Johnson at Soccerbase
• Zak Johnson at Soccerway