Damien Johnson Bio Send To Friend  

Johnson is a skilful and fleet-footed player who can operate either wide on the right or as a free midfielder. He was appointed the club captain for the 2006-07 season, but his impact has been limited in the past few seasons.

A product of Blackburn Rovers' excellent youth set-up, he made his first team debut for the club in a League Cup tie against Preston North End.

But as Graeme Souness looked to ring the changes at Ewood Park he was told he could leave towards the end of the 2001-02 season after playing 77 games for Rovers, scoring four times.

Birmingham City were immediately interested, and Johnson completed a move for a nominal fee in March 2002. He made his Blues debut in a 3-1 win at Bradford City and his first goal came in a 4-0 thrashing of Grimsby Town as he helped Rovers win promotion to the Premiership.

The Northern Ireland international became an integral member of the Birmingham squad in the Premiership and signed a new contract in September 2004.

His style is typified by his committed, battling spirit which in turn has earned him fans in the stands and in the club he was named the Player of the Year and Players Player of the Year awards in 2005-06 season.

He signed a new three year deal keeping him at Birmingham until 2010, but he was hit by injuries and his impact at the club waned over the next few seasons and he managed just 25 starts in two seasons.

However, Johnson has made more appearances than any other team-mate at the club and his experience of top flight football should be a useful asset.