Brennan Johnson
Brennan Johnson has rapidly become one of the most exciting Welsh attacking talents of his generation.
Since breaking through in a loan spell at Lincoln City in 2020, Johnson has embodied Wales’ modern footballing ambition — a dynamic forward capable of changing games with pace, precision, and intelligent movement.
Born in Nottingham in May 2001, Johnson’s football journey began at a grassroots level with Dunkirk before he joined the Nottingham Forest academy at the age of eight.
Gifted, and with a strong athletic frame and excellent technical ability, he rose steadily through the ranks at Forest, making his senior debut in August 2019 at just 18 years old.
His early years in senior football were marked by steady progression, including a valuable loan spell at Lincoln where he sharpened his goal threat and honed his attacking instincts.
Johnson’s performances for Forest captured wider attention during the 2021–22 season, a campaign that culminated in promotion to the Premier League via the Championship play-offs.
That promise earned him a big-money move to Tottenham Hotspur in September 2023.
The transfer, reported at around £47.5 million, reflected his rising stock and belief in his ability to make an impact at the highest level.
At Spurs, Johnson enjoyed some of the most memorable moments of his career.
He finished as the club’s top scorer in the 2024–25 season with 18 goals in all competitions and etched his name into the club’s history by netting the decisive goal in the UEFA Europa League final, securing a 1–0 triumph over Manchester United.
However, after a managerial change saw reduced playing time during the early stages of the 2025–26 season, Johnson opted for a fresh start.
In January 2026, Crystal Palace completed his transfer in a club-record deal worth around £35 million, making him one of the most significant signings in the Eagles’ history.
“I’m really excited and I’m really happy,” Johnson said upon joining Palace. “Crystal Palace are such a great club, one that I’ve always admired.
“It’s a great time for me to be here and join the journey that this club is on.”
His move to Selhurst Park not only gave him a new platform to showcase his attacking talents in the Premier League but also strengthened Palace’s forward options as they competed domestically and, for the first time, in European competition.
On the international stage, Johnson’s influence for Wales has been undeniable.
After representing England at youth level, he switched allegiance and debuted for Wales in 2020, quickly establishing himself as an important part of the squad.
He played a starring role in Wales’s journey to the 2022 FIFA World Cup — the nation’s first appearance at the tournament since 1958 — and has continued to contribute goals and creativity in UEFA Nations League and World Cup qualifying campaigns.
With over 40 caps and several key goals to his name, he remains a pivotal figure in Craig Bellamy’s plans.
Technically proficient and tactically flexible, Johnson combines blistering pace, intelligent movement and a natural goal threat — traits that make him a constant menace in wide and central attacking areas.
His ability to beat defenders, find space behind defensive lines and finish clinically has made him one of Wales’s most exciting forward talents in years.
As he embarks on this new chapter with Crystal Palace, Johnson looks poised to build on his early success and continue making an impact on both club and international stages — a modern Welsh attacker blending creativity, athleticism and a genuine eye for goal.
Brennan Johnson News
Brennan Johnson Aims to Boost his Wales World Cup Chances With Crystal Palace Switch
Brennan Johnson’s club-record move to Crystal Palace could prove pivotal for his chances of making the starting line-up for Wales at the World Cup finals this summer.
Graham Thomas | Jan 03, 2026
Brennan Johnson Defended by Thomas Frank After Becoming Red Card History-Maker
Brennan Johnson has been included in Craig Bellamy's Wales squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, but will join after making history for his club, Tottenham, as Gareth James reports.
Gareth James | Nov 05, 2025
Brennan Johnson Has The Gift Of Goals . . . But Maybe He Needs More Devil
Brennan Johnson has the goal touch that makes him a key figure for Tottenham and Wales, but debate surrounds whether he has the ruthless streak of a natural born winner.
Ian Mitchelmore | Apr 10, 2025
Brennan Johnson’s Spurs Try Rallying The Troops After Latest Setback
Brennan Johnson’s Tottenham teammate and captain Son Heung-min has called on Spurs players to raise their game after Sunday’s dramatic 4-3 loss to visitors Chelsea dropped them to 11th in the Premier League. Wales star Johnson created the opening goal for Dominic Solanke but even though Spurs went into a 2-0 lead, they were soon 4-2 behind and the manner of the defeat has heaped more pressure on manager Ange Postecoglou.
Paul Jones | Dec 09, 2024
Wales Down To The Bare Bones. . . So It Could Be Time To Roll The Joe Allen Dice
Wales manager Craig Bellamy accepts everyone loves romance in football, but thinks asking Joe Allen to solve his midfield conundrum against Montenegro would be a “gamble”. Swansea City veteran Allen, capped 74 times for his country and among Wales’ best-ever midfielders, reversed the decision he made in February 2023 to retire from international football earlier this month.
Paul Jones | Oct 14, 2024
Craig Bellamy Not Sidetracked By Minor Meltdown In Iceland For Wales
Craig Bellamy remained upbeat after Wales surrendered a two-goal interval lead to draw their Nations League tie in Iceland. Brennan Johnson and Harry Wilson rewarded some incisive first-half approach play to put Wales in command on a freezing night in Reykjavik.
Gareth James | Oct 12, 2024
Craig Bellamy Says Wales Happy To Take On Fans’ Rising Expectations
Wales manager Craig Bellamy insists his team can build further on his first camp in charge last month when two positive performances created plenty of excitement among supporters to carry with them into Friday night’s match in Iceland. Euro 2024 quarter-finalists Turkey were somewhat fortunate to leave Cardiff with a goalless draw before Montenegro were beaten 2-1 in Niksic in Bellamy’s opening two matches in charge in the Nations League.
Gareth James | Oct 11, 2024
Five Games, Five Goals For Brennan Johnson As Wales Matches Loom
Brennan Johnson was given another vote of confidence by Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou after the Wales striker maintained his rich scoring streak. Johnson scored the crucial second goal for Spurs as they beat Hungarians Ferencvaros 2-1, in the Europa League at the Groupama Arena.
David Williams | Oct 04, 2024
No Ordinary Joe . . . Allen Backed By Craig Bellamy To Roll Back The Years With Wales
Joe Allen has come out of international retirement and will be involved in Wales’ upcoming Nations League double-header with Iceland and Montenegro. Allen quit international football in February 2023 saying “time and injuries” had taken their toll, but the 34-year-old has been persuaded to rejoin the Dragons’ fold by new manager and former team-mate Craig Bellamy.
Paul Jones | Oct 02, 2024
Brennan Johnson Has Gone From Troll Target To Deadly Target Man For Spurs In Four Matches
Brennan Johnson has earned more praise for his goal contribution from Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou. Wales striker Johnson scored for the fourth successive match as Spurs cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Gareth James | Sep 30, 2024
Brennan Johnson Answers Critics By Rescuing Spurs And Ange Postecoglou
Brennan Johnson and his Tottenham teammates earned the praise of manager Ange Postecoglou after the Wales striker struck with a 93rd minute winner to avoid an embarrassing Carabao Cup exit at Coventry City. The Wales striker delivered just a day after his manager had defended him in the wake of social media abuse over recent performances.
Gareth James | Sep 19, 2024
Rain Man Craig Bellamy Needs A New Jacket, But Is Proud After Wales Weather Storm
Craig Bellamy expressed pride over Wales’ win in Montenegro after facing what he said were the toughest conditions in his career. Torrential rain in Niksic saw the City Stadium pitch cut up from the early stages, with players regularly losing their footing and the ball skidding everywhere on the sodden surface.
Gareth James | Sep 10, 2024