Ipswich Town: All you need to know about new signing Ben Johnson

Alex Jones takes a closer look at their new recruit...

Johnson is related to Tottenham Hotspur legend Ledley King (Image: PA)

Famous family

Born in Waltham Forest in East London, Johnson is West Ham through and through. His second cousins – Paul Parker and Ledley King – come from a similar area, but ultimately had very different career paths.

Parker came through at Fulham in the 1980’s before joining Queens Park Rangers and subsequently Manchester United in 1991, making 105 appearances for the Red Devils across a five-year stint where they lifted the Premier League title twice and the FA Cup once.

King, on the other hand, joined Tottenham Hotspur in 1999, staying with them until 2012 and making 323 appearances before retiring and taking up a role as club ambassador. He was regarded as one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League during his playing career.

Between them, Parker and King played 40 times for England too, so Johnson has a long way to go to match the rest of his family.

The defender made his senior debut against Manchester City in 2019 (Image: PA)

Early conversion and a strong debut

Johnson joined West Ham at the age of seven, progressing through the age groups to reach the under-23’s and subsequently the first-team squad. He started his youth career as a winger before being moved further back as he got older.

He was first named in the Hammers’ Premier League squad in December 2017, where he was an unused substitute in a 2-1 defeat to Manchester City, signing his first professional deal just over a year later.

He impressed manager Manuel Pellegrini during a winter training trip to Malaga midway through the 2018/19 campaign. As a result, when left-back Aaron Cresswell pulled up with an injury ahead of their game against Man City, he was drafted in at left-back to make his debut ahead of the experienced Arthur Masuaku.

According to the Newham Observer, Johnson “had to play up against Riyad Mahrez and did such a good job that the Algerian was replaced early in the second half.”

Speaking after the match, he said: “It’s been a great experience. I waited around for it the whole day, but I enjoyed it a lot and it was a great experience to be out there against the best – that’s who I want to be playing against in the future.”

Johnson helped West Ham win the Europa Conference League in 2023 (Image: PA)

An impressive honours list

On a personal level, Johnson was held in high regard by West Ham, winning their Young Player of the Season award in 2020/21 and 2021/22. Although he struggled for minutes ahead of first-choice right-back Vladimir Coufal, he made 109 senior appearances during his time at the London Stadium, scoring goals against Brighton & Hove Albion and Aston Villa.

On top of that, he also lifted the Europa Conference League trophy with the Hammers in 2022/23, and it wasn't just a bit-part role in that campaign. He started in four of the six group-stage games as well as knock-out matches against AEK Larnaca and KAA Gent.

Even in last season’s Europa League, he started away at Backa Topola before earning minutes off the bench against Freiburg and Bayer Leverkusen in the latter stages.

Internationally, Johnson is yet to feature for England’s senior squad, although he did play 10 times for the under-21’s, helping them lift the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in 2023.

The 24-year-old reportedly turned down a five-year contract offer from the Hammers (Image: PA)

Declining a deal

As Johnson was reaching the end of his contract at West Ham, the issue of his game time was becoming more and more prevalent. When David Moyes’ departure was confirmed in early May, it left more questions than answers as he entered the final weeks of his deal.

Coufal’s immediate future was also in doubt, with the Czech international set to turn 32 in August, but the Hammers opted to trigger a one-year extension option in his contract. As a result, Johnson’s pathway into the first-team squad became more complicated once again, but he was still offered a fresh five-year deal to remain in East London.

Numerous clubs had been linked with a move, with Rangers, Southampton and Leeds United all reportedly keen on acquiring his services both in January and this summer. Ultimately, when Ipswich came calling, it was an offer too good to turn down.

ExWHUEmployee, who broke the news on Tuesday morning, claimed: “Johnson was on the brink of accepting a new deal, but it appears Ipswich have offered him a great contract with clear first team opportunities.”

Johnson can play anywhere across the back line - as well as other positions further forward (Image: PA)

Mr. Versatility

One significant strength that Johnson has is his versatility. A natural right-back, he’s able to play on the left or even at centre-back. As mentioned, he started his career further forward, while Moyes occasionally brought him on as a midfielder last season, looking particularly impressive in that role against Sheffield United.

That’s exactly what manager Kieran McKenna wants. Not only can he compete with Harry Clarke and Axel Tuanzebe in his preferred position, but he can also cover Leif Davis or even step in to partner Sam Morsy or Massimo Luongo if required.

He’s a good defender, which could really suit his role in this Ipswich team. In the early days under McKenna, we often saw the Blues switch to a back five in game, with the right-back moving in to become centre-back and the right winger dropping deep to become a wing-back. Johnson suits that role to a tee.

On top of that, he also started as a right winger against Manchester United at Old Trafford, where Moyes described him as a ‘hybrid player’.

“I’m happy to play wherever the manager wants to put me,” he said via West Ham’s website. “I used to play there when I was younger and I enjoy that role, but getting my bearings again in that position does take a little time. But I like to think I’m willing to learn and I can do that job. I want to fill in wherever the team needs me and do the best I can.”