Zak Johnson
English footballer (born 2004)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Zak Robert Johnson (born 30 July 2004) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for York City on loan from Premier League side Sunderland.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Zak Robert Johnson[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 30 July 2004[2] | ||
| Place of birth | Sunderland, England | ||
| Position | Centre-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team |
York City (on loan from Sunderland) | ||
| Number | 29 | ||
| 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) |
| 2025 | → Notts County (loan) | 10 | (0) |
| 2025– | → York City (loan) | 18 | (1) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2023 | England U18 | 2 | (0) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 23:36, 22 March (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 09:00, 23 September 2023 (UTC) | |||
Club 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.[3]
On 1 July 2022, it was announced Johnson had signed his first professional contract with Sunderland on a deal lasting until 2025.[4]
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.[5]
Johnson moved to National League side Hartlepool United in September 2023 on a one-month loan deal.[6] On 26 October, this loan deal was extended until January 2024.[7] On 5 January 2024, it was announced that Johnson's loan spell with Hartlepool had ended.[8]
On 14 February 2024, Johnson signed for League of Ireland Premier Division club Dundalk on loan.[9] 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."[10]
On 13 January 2025, Johnson signed for League Two side Notts County on loan until the end of the season.[11]
In November 2025, Johnson joined National League club York City on a short-term loan until January 2026.[12] In January 2026, his loan deal with York was extended until the end of the season.[13]
International career
In June 2023, Johnson received a call-up to the England U18s squad for an upcoming trip to Portugal.[14]
Career statistics
- As of match played 2 April 2025
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Sunderland | 2021–22[15] | League One | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2022–23[16] | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2023–24[17] | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2024–25[18] | Championship | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
| Hartlepool United (loan) | 2023–24[2] | National League | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| Dundalk (loan) | 2024[2] | LOI Premier Division | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| Notts County (loan) | 2024–25[18] | League Two | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Career total | 39 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 44 | 0 | ||
- Appearance in EFL Trophy