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.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Emmanuel Johnson | ||
| Date of birth | May 11, 2003 | ||
| 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 | |||
| –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) | |||
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
- As of September 29, 2023[15]
| 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 | ||
Honors
Austin FC II
- MLS Next Pro Cup: Champions – 2023