Adam Johnson

Adam Johnson (born 14 July 1987 in Sunderland, England ) is an English footballer, currently playing for Middlesbrough . He plays as a left-winger. Johnson is one of the many players to graduate from Middlesbrough's acclaimed Academy to the first team in recent years. He was part of the squad that won the 2003–04 FA Youth Cup. He also played for England's under-19's and has been tipped as a future star of the game by the coach, Nigel Hunter.[citation needed] Johnson made his senior debut aged seventeen on 17 March 2005 in the UEFA Cup in the 1–0 defeat away to Sporting Lisbon. Almost six months later he made his Premiership debut, and first senior start, deputising for an injured Stewart Downing in a 2–1 home win against Arsenal . Johnson 1st goal for Middlesbrough came in a midweek English Premier League game against Bolton Wanders on the 3rd of May 2006.He was playing due to Middlesbrough invovlement in the UEFA Cup final which was to be played a week later as Steve McClaren rested most of the 1st team squad. On 16 October 2006 he joined Leeds United on a months loan, playing five times. Later on in the season he came on as a substitute in the FA Cup replay with Bristol City and played a vital role in seeing Middlesbrough through to the next round by setting up one goal and scoring the winning penalty in the shootout. In September 2007 Johnson joined Championship side Watford on a three month loan which was cut short due to consistent top quality standards. Johnson played 12 games for the club, scoring 5 times, before being recalled to Middlesbrough.