Glen Johnson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Glen Johnson

Johnson playing for Liverpool in 2011
Personal information
Full name	Glen McLeod Cooper Johnson
Birth name	Glen McLeod Cooper Stephens
Date of birth	(1984-08-23) 23 August 1984 (age 40)
Place of birth	Greenwich, London, England
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.82 m)
Position(s)	Right back
Youth career
1993–2002	West Ham United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2002–2003	West Ham United	15	(0)
2002	→ Millwall (loan)	8	(0)
2003–2007	Chelsea	42	(3)
2006–2007	→ Portsmouth (loan)	26	(0)
2007–2009	Portsmouth	58	(4)
2009–2015	Liverpool	160	(8)
2015–2018	Stoke City	57	(0)
Total		366	(15)
International career
1999–2000	England U16	7	(2)
2000–2001	England U17	19	(1)
2001–2002	England U19	10	(0)
2002	England U20	1	(0)
2003–2006	England U21	14	(0)
2003–2014	England	54	(1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Glen McLeod Cooper Johnson (born 23 August 1984) is an English former professional footballer. He played as a right back for several top clubs.

Johnson started his career at West Ham United. He also played on loan at Millwall. In 2003, he joined Chelsea for £6 million. He helped Chelsea win the Premier League title and the League Cup in 2005.

In 2006, Johnson moved to Portsmouth, first on loan, then permanently. He played 99 games for Portsmouth. He was part of the team that won the 2008 FA Cup final against Cardiff City. In 2009, Johnson joined Liverpool for £17.5 million. He played 200 games for Liverpool, winning the League Cup in 2012. He then joined Stoke City in 2015. He played 64 games for Stoke before retiring in 2019.

Johnson also played for the England national team. He earned 54 caps between 2003 and 2014. He represented England in the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups. He also played in UEFA Euro 2012.

Early Life and Family

Glen Johnson was born in Greenwich, London. He grew up in Dartford, Kent. His parents named him after former England midfielder Glenn Hoddle. Glen was raised by his mother, Wendy Johnson. He grew up with his younger brother and older half-sister.

His mother worked hard to support him and his siblings. She helped him pursue his dream of playing football. Johnson has said his mother was key to his football career.

Club Football Career

Starting at West Ham United

Johnson joined the West Ham United youth system at age nine. He signed a professional contract in 2001, just before his 17th birthday. In 2002, he played for West Ham's reserve team. He then went on loan to Millwall for seven weeks.

Johnson made his Premier League debut for West Ham in January 2003. He played 15 league games that season. He signed a new four-year deal with the club. However, West Ham was relegated to the First Division in May 2003. This was his last game for the club.

Moving to Chelsea

In July 2003, Johnson joined Chelsea for £6 million. He was the first player bought under the new owner, Roman Abramovich. He made his Chelsea debut in August 2003 in a Champions League match. His first Chelsea goal came two weeks later.

He played 19 league games in the 2003–04 season. Chelsea finished as runners-up that year. In the 2004–05 season, he helped Chelsea win the Premier League title. He also won the League Cup with Chelsea. He came on as a substitute in the final, which Chelsea won 3–2 against Liverpool.

Success at Portsmouth

In June 2006, Johnson joined Portsmouth on a season-long loan. He played well during this loan period. In August 2007, he joined Portsmouth permanently for £4 million. He quickly became the team's regular right back.

In October 2007, Johnson scored his first goal for Portsmouth. He helped Portsmouth reach the 2008 FA Cup final. He played in the final as Portsmouth beat Cardiff City 1–0. This was a big win for the club.

In November 2008, Johnson scored a fantastic goal against Hull City. This goal won the Match of the Day's Goal of the Month award. It later won the Goal of the Season award. Johnson was also named in the PFA Team of the Year for the 2008–09 season.

Playing for Liverpool

Johnson warming up for Liverpool in 2009

In June 2009, Liverpool made a large offer for Johnson. He signed a four-year contract with Liverpool on 26 June 2009. He made his Premier League debut for Liverpool in August 2009.

In his first home game for Liverpool, Johnson played very well. He scored his first goal for the club and also set up another. He scored his second goal for Liverpool in a 3–2 win against Bolton Wanderers. Johnson played 35 games and scored three goals in his first season.

In November 2010, Johnson scored his first goal of the 2010–11 Premier League season. This was in a 3–0 win against West Ham United. In July 2011, Johnson signed a new contract with Liverpool.

On 20 November 2011, Johnson scored a great solo goal against his old club, Chelsea. Liverpool won that game 2–1. On 26 February 2012, he helped Liverpool win their first trophy since 2006. They won the League Cup final against Cardiff City. Johnson played the whole game and scored in the penalty shoot-out.

In December 2012, Johnson scored Liverpool's first goal in a 3–2 win over West Ham. He played 43 games in the 2012–13 season. In the 2013–14 season, he played 30 games as Liverpool almost won the Premier League title. Johnson left Liverpool in June 2015.

Time at Stoke City

Johnson joined Stoke City in July 2015. He signed a two-year contract. He made his debut for Stoke in August 2015 against his former club, Liverpool. He was the first-choice right back for Stoke in the 2015–16 season. However, he suffered a knee injury in February 2016.

Johnson played 29 games for Stoke before his injury. He signed a one-year contract extension in April 2017. He played 25 games in the 2016–17 season. In the 2017–18 season, he played only ten games. Stoke was relegated to the EFL Championship that season. Johnson left Stoke at the end of the season. He announced his retirement from football on 21 January 2019.

International Career

Playing for England's Youth Teams

Johnson warming up for England in 2009

Glen Johnson played for the England under-21s. He made his full England debut on 18 November 2003. This was against Denmark. He came on as a substitute early in the game.

After 2005, he did not play for England for a few years. However, he was called up again in January 2008 by manager Fabio Capello. In 2010, Johnson played in a 2–0 win over Andorra. He also made four assists in a 6–0 win against the same team. He was named man of the match for that game. Johnson scored his first goal for England in a friendly match against Mexico on 24 May 2010. England won that game 3–1.

UEFA Euro 2012 Participation

Johnson (left) playing for England at UEFA Euro 2012

In February 2011, Johnson helped England win 2–1 against Denmark. He assisted Ashley Young's winning goal. On 16 May 2012, Johnson was chosen for England's UEFA Euro 2012 squad. He played in England's warm-up match against Belgium.

He played in all three of England's group matches at the tournament. England won their group with a draw against France. They also won against Sweden and Ukraine. On 24 June 2012, he started for England in their quarter-final game against Italy. England was knocked out after a penalty shoot-out.

2014 FIFA World Cup

On 12 May 2014, Johnson was named in England's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. During England's group stage match against Uruguay, Johnson made a good run. He passed the ball to Wayne Rooney, who scored. However, Uruguay went on to win the game 2–1.

Personal Life and Business

Glen Johnson was born in England but has Jamaican heritage. In 2007, Johnson started the Glen Johnson Soccer School. This school focuses on training young players in local schools.

In 2007, Glen Johnson also founded Johnsons Real Estate with his brother, Lewis Johnson. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Johnsons Real Estate.

Career Statistics

Club Appearances and Goals

Johnson playing for Portsmouth in 2007

International Appearances and Goals

International Goals for England

England score listed first, score column indicates score after each Johnson goal.

International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition

No.	Date	Venue	Cap	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition	Ref
1	24 May 2010	Wembley Stadium, London, England	21	Mexico	3–1	3–1	Friendly

Honours and Awards

Chelsea

• Premier League: 2004–05
• Football League Cup: 2004–05

Portsmouth

• FA Cup: 2007–08

Liverpool

• Football League Cup: 2011–12
• FA Cup runner-up: 2011–12

Individual Awards

• PFA Team of the Year: 2008–09 Premier League
• Portsmouth Player of the Season: 2008–09
• BBC Goal of the Season: 2008–09

See also

In Spanish: Glen Johnson (futbolista) para niños