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Fabian Johnson - A Munich-born USMNT International

Fabian Johnson is a versatile player who can play at fullback or in the midfield and has played at the highest level of European Club soccer, including in the Champions League. He is the son of American troops and has lived in Germany for the most of his life.

Author:David Mitchell
Reviewer:Henrik Schmidt
Jun 06, 20223 Shares589 Views
Fabian Johnsonis a versatile player who can play at fullback or in the midfield and has played at the highest level of European Club soccer, including in the Champions League. He is the son of American troops and has lived in Germany for most of his life. He is the son of an African-American serviceman and former German basketball player, as well as a German-American mother. He began playing soccerfor Sportfreunde München in 1991.
Johnson joined the famed youth levels of 1860 Munich in the mid-1990s. Johnson was promoted to 1860 München's first team in July 2006. He made 89 league games and scored four goals before joining VfL Wolfsburg on July 14, 2009. He scored his first goal for VfL Wolfsburg in a 2–2 tie against SC Freiburg at home. Johnson joined 1899 Hoffenheim in July 2011.

Ballboy Beginnings

Speaking of balls, Johnson's first professional footballexperience came at an early age, when he worked as a ballboy at Munich's Olympiastadion. He would never play there for 1860, instead of breaking into Die Löwen's first squad after they had already relocated to the Allianz Arena.

European Champion

Johnson represented Germany from the U17s to the U21s between 2003 and 2009, playing alongside future FIFAWorld Cup winners Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng, Sami Khedira, Mats Hummels, and Mesut zil in Germany's European U-21 Championship winning team in Sweden in 2009, including a 4-0 victory over England in the final.

USMNT International

However, representing his father's nation was not that straightforward. Johnson first needed to secure the necessary paperwork. He was supposed to make his debut in September 2011, but it took another two months to be cleared to play for the USMNT against France on November 11, 2011. Johnson's first official cap came against Guatemala in a FIFA World Cup qualification in 2012, and there was no turning back: he had become a full-fledged USA international.

From Lions To Wolves

His route to becoming one, on the other hand, was fraught with forks. Johnson, still a bright youth, left 1860 for Wolfsburg in 2009 but struggled to fit into a team that was still reeling from their first Bundesliga triumph. He only made 16 appearances in two seasons before joining Hoffenheim, which proved his most significant break.

Five-A-Side Brother

Fabian's brother Stephan also plays football, albeit not at the same level. He was, however, another beneficial impact on Fabian's professional growth, and he participated in a futsal competition in Brazil in 2014, with the brothers of USMNT stars Clint Dempsey and Graham Zusi.

Left To Right

Johnson began as a left full-back, but his adaptability was regarded as vital with a certain playing the position for Germany when he was working his way through the Germany minor teams. At Hoffenheim, he was given a more advanced role (albeit he ended up as a right-back – "My dad basically always urged me to practice on my weaker foot, so I'm practically both-footed," Johnson explained). He has gone even higher up the pitch at Gladbach and appears to have found his position on the left side of the attack.

Honors

UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2009 (Germany U21)

People Also Ask

What Happened To Fabian Johnson?

Fabian Johnson will leave Borussia Monchengladbach at the end of the Bundesliga season, the club confirmed on Monday. Johnson's contract is scheduled to expire, allowing him to become a free agent and sign with anybody he wants. The defender/midfielder has scored twice in 57 appearances for the US men's national team but hasn't played since a World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica in September 2017. Johnson, 32, has played at Monchengladbach since the 2014-15 season, appearing in 140 games and contributing 15 goals and 19 assists. The German-American has already visited 1860 Munich, VfL Wolfsburg, and 1899 Hoffenheim. He's also made 24 Europa League and Champions League outings with Monchengladbach and Wolfsburg.

What Is Fabian Johnson's Salary Per Week?

Fabian Johnson makes £43,000 per week and £2,236,000 per year as a D/WB RL, AM L at Borussia M'gladbach. Fabian Johnson has an estimated net worth of £12,844,000.

How Tall Is Fabian Johnson?

Fabian Johnson's height is 6 feet (183.0 cm).

Conclusion

Johnson made his debut league appearance for Borussia Mönchengladbach, entering the game against VfB Stuttgart in the 72nd minute. He earned his first league start on September 13, 2014, in a 4–1 home triumph against FC Schalke 04. On November 3, 2015, he scored his first UEFA Champions League goal against Juventus. On March 1, 2015, he scored his first Bundesliga goal for Borussia Mönchengladbach against SC Paderborn.
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David Mitchell

David Mitchell

Author
David Mitchell, a UCLA Sports Journalism graduate, crafts compelling narratives that vividly portray the world of athletics. With a knack for capturing the essence of sporting events and athletes, his writing exudes passion and insight. David's articles, known for their vivid imagery and fresh perspective, resonate with sports enthusiasts worldwide. When not writing, he can be found cheering for his favorite teams or staying active in the gym, believing in the unifying power of sports to inspire and transcend boundaries.
Henrik Schmidt

Henrik Schmidt

Reviewer
Henrik Schmidt, a European sports journalist from the University of Manchester, specializes in soccer, golf, tennis, and the Olympics. With keen analysis and engaging storytelling, his articles offer unique insights into these sports. Beyond writing, Henrik immerses himself in Europe's vibrant sports culture, finding inspiration in the athleticism and competitive spirit that define the games he covers.
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