Danny Johnson signs for Mansfield Town and becomes Nigel Clough’s second summer transfer window signing

The striker rejected a new deal at his old club Leyton Orient to sign for the Amber and Blues, as manager Nigel Clough assembles a squad capable of a push up the table.

The 28-year-old becomes the second summer transfer window signing for the Stags after they captured the signature of Elliott Hewitt from Grimsby Town.

Danny Johnson was involved in 33% of Leyton Orient’s league goals last season, finishing with 20 in all competitions – his best tally since turning professional back in 2011.

He started his career at Middlesborough, but after moving on from their youth ranks, the forward had to work hard at Hartlepool’s academy.

Another rejection followed, even though he scored 21 goals in the 2010/11 season for the young Pools. A move abroad to Spain’s Real Murcia only lasted a year and he returned back to England with Harrogate Town.

After making just two appearances for the Town in the National League North, he dropped down to the Northern Football League Division One as he looked to establish himself in the lower leagues.

Starting at Billingham Synthonia and then moving onto Guisborough Town was the correct call for the Middlesbrough-born striker.

62 appearances and 65 goals in the lower leagues proved how much of a prolific goalscorer Johnson is. For the Priorymen alone he scored 59 times in the 2013/14 season as scouts from the higher divisions kept a close eye on the forward.

After attracting interest from Huddersfield Town, Carlisle United and former club Middlesbrough, he was eventually snapped up by Cardiff City.

Spending most of his time in the Bluebirds’ development squad, Johnson joined Tranmere Rovers on a one-month loan.

Coincidently, the striker made his professional debut against Mansfield Town in October 2014, but was unable to influence that game as the Rovers drew 0-0 with the Stags.

He made a further three appearances whilst scoring once in the Football League Trophy against Bury. Another loan spell at Stevenage followed and at the end of the 2014/15 season, but he was not offered a new contract at Cardiff and subsequently released.

Another stint in non-league followed, this time at the highest level with National League side Gateshead. He would return to his best, and even with an injury putting him out of action, the forward battled on to return to the Football League as a player.

Johnson opted for a different route and moved to Scotland, signing for Motherwell in June 2018. Starting the season well, his playing time was hampered after a formation change at the Scottish Premiership side which saw him move down to the second tier of Scottish football with Dundee.

Signing for the Dee in July 2019, the forward did not enjoy a lot of game time once again, only making 22 appearances in all competitions, scoring seven goals in the process.

He made a return to the Football League with his last club, Leyton Orient, who he signed for in January 2020.

Making six appearances and scoring twice for the O’s in the 2019/20 season, the League Two campaign was drawn to a close due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the forward was able to keep his place at the London-based club.

The 2020/21 season was a fantastic show of his talent and his ability to be a prolific goalscorer in front of goal as he finished as the club’s top goalscorer and the joint-sixth top scorer in League Two.

Johnson will definitely provide Mansfield Town with a real poachers instinct after the fantastic display he put up against the Stags in Leyton Orient’s 2-0 win at the One Call Stadium back in April.

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