Michael Johnson (footballer, born 1988)

Michael Johnson is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder, born on 24 February 1988 in Urmston, Greater Manchester. He came through the youth academies of several clubs, including Leeds United, Everton and Manchester City, and joined Manchester City in 2004. He made his Premier League debut for City in October 2006 and was noted for running with the ball, scoring goals and working box to box, and he represented England at under-19 and under-21 level. Injuries, beginning with an abdominal problem in 2008-09 and a serious knee injury in 2009, limited him to four competitive first team appearances in his final five seasons, and a loan spell at Leicester City in 2011-12 ended early through injury. He was released by Manchester City in December 2012, and former teammates and managers publicly lamented the loss of a player they had rated as a major talent.