Ben Johnson has thrived since being converted from a winger into an attack-minded full-back as a teenage schoolboy.
A two-footed and versatile defender, Johnson has been with West Ham United since the age of seven and featured regularly in every age-group side he has featured in, impressing with his maturity, athleticism and work ethic.
The defender made his first-team debut at Manchester City in February 2019 and has since gone on to establish himself in the first-team squad and become an England U21 international.
Career
Made his European debut by starting the 2-0 UEFA Europa League Group H win over Rapid Vienna at London Stadium on 30 September 2021....Started four straight Premier League victories over Everton, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Liverpool in October/November 2021...Scored the opening goal in a 4-1 Premier League win at Aston Villa on 31 October 2021.
Made a career-high 14 Premier League and 20 first-team appearances in total...Replaced the injured Ryan Fredericks in the 4-0 home top-flight win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on 27 September 2020...Scored his maiden Premier League goal in a 2-2 home draw with Brighton & Hove Albion on 27 December 2020...Started at left wing-back in the 3-0 home Premier League win over Sheffield United on 15 February 2021...Started all three EFL Cup ties - wins over Charlton Athletic and Hull City and a defeat at Everton...Started FA Cup wins over Stockport County and Doncaster Rovers and appeared as substitute in the fifth round defeat at Manchester United.
Started West Ham United's final three Premier League games of the season as the Irons staved off relegation - a 3-1 home win over Watford and 1-1 draws with Manchester United and Aston Villa...Captained the U21s to a thrilling 5-4 EFL Trophy win at Newport County in September 2019...Totaled seven Premier League 2 appearances as the Hammers won promotion from Division 2.
Started the opening 15 Premier League 2 Division 1 matches of the season, helping the Hammers to away wins at Tottenham Hotspur, Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City...Started all three EFL Trophy group-stage ties...Made his full debut in a 1-0 Premier League defeat at Manchester City on 27 February 2019...Signed a new contract until summer 2022 on 20 March 2019...Totaled 20 Premier League 2 and three EFL Trophy appearances and one goal.
Appeared twice in U18 Premier League South in September/October 2017...Made his first Premier League 2 Division 1 appearance of the season in the 2-0 home defeat by Liverpool on 18 September 2017...Recorded an assist in the 2-1 Premier League 2 Division 1 win at Sunderland on 24 September 2017...Started three EFL Trophy ties, recording an assist in the 3-1 group-stage win at Bristol Rovers on 31 October 2017...Named on the substitutes' bench in the Premier League for the first time at Manchester City on 3 December 2017...Signed a new contract until summer 2020 on 25 January 2018...Captained the U23s in the Premier League 2 Division 1 defeat at Chelsea on 11 March 2018...Made 14 Premier League 2 Division 1 appearances, starting 13 times.
Became a full-time scholar on 1 July 2016...Started 19 times in U18 Premier League South, grabbing an assist in the 3-2 victory at home to Swansea City on 22 October 2016...Made his Premier League 2 Division 1 debut as a second-half substitute in the 2-2 draw at home to Leicester City on 10 February 2017.
Honours
West Ham United
UEFA Europa Conference League (2022/23)
Young Hammer of the Year (2020/21, 2021/22)