Fast-paced but not to be confused with the American sprinting legend, Ben Johnson is a British footballer currently playing in defence for the legendary West Ham United. Equally adept at left and right back, Johnson has been with the Hammers since he was just seven years old and made his professional debut for the club in February 2019. After an injury setback, he broke into the first team properly during the 2020-21 season and won the club’s Young Player of the Year Award thanks to his 20 appearances and one goal.

Born in January 2000, Johnson is one of the vanguard of 21st-century players now coming of age in professional football. As the nephew of former Manchester United defensive legend Paul Parker and cousin of Tottenham Hotspur’s similarly talented Ledley King, Johnson grew up immersed in the game and signed as a schoolboy with West Ham at the age of seven. He spent the next decade working his way up through the ranks and was named as a substitute in the first-team squad for the first time in late 2017.

Now in his second season since cementing his place in the first team, and with a Young Player of the Year Award under his belt, Johnson is only just beginning to show players, fans, and pundits alike what he’s capable of.