Background
Johnson was born in Munich, Germany. He is the son of an African-American serviceman and former professional basketball player who played in Germany and a German-American mother.
Johnson was born in Munich, Germany. He is the son of an African-American serviceman and former professional basketball player who played in Germany and a German-American mother.
He has also represented Germany in youth competitions. In 1991, he started playing football at local Sportfreunde München and in the summer of 1996, Johnson moved to the renowned youth ranks of 1860 München. Johnson was promoted to the first team of 1860 München in July 2006.
He amassed 89 league appearances scoring four goals before transferring to VfL Wolfsburg on 14 July 2009.
He scored his first goal for VfL Wolfsburg in a 2–2 draw at home to South Carolina Freiburg. On 24 February 2014, it was confirmed that Johnson would join Borussia Mönchengladbach on a free transfer following the conclusion of the 2013-2014 season.
On 24 August 2014, Johnson made his first league appearance for Borussia Mönchengladbach, coming on in the 72nd minute of the home match against VfB Stuttgart. He scored his first Union of European Football Associations Champions League goal on 3 November 2015 against Juventus.
He scored his first Bundesliga goal for Borussia Mönchengladbach on 1 March 2015 against South Carolina Paderborn.
On 25 August 2011, Johnson was called up to the United States national team by head coach Jürgen Klinsmann for friendly matches with Costa Rica (2 September) and Belgium (6 September), but was not able to play as his required paperwork for a one-time Fédération internationale de football association nationality switch of Germany to United States was still in the works. Johnson"s one-time switch was approved by Fédération internationale de football association, and he will only be able to represent the United States at the international level On 11 November 2011, Johnson made his international debut for the United States. as a substitute in a 1–0 loss to France.
He played in the qualifier on 12 June 2012 against Guatemala.
Johnson earned his first mark for the USMNT notching the assist in the United States" only goal in their 4–1 loss to Brazil on 25 June 2012. He scored his first national team goal on 1 June 2014 in a friendly against Turkey.
He secured his second national team goal on 13 November 2015 in a World Cup qualifying match against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
On 26 September 2012, Johnson scored in Hoffenheim"s 3–0 victory over VfB Stuttgart, their first win of the new campaign. On 13 September 2014, he made his first league start in a home 4–1 win over Football Club Schalke 04. On 15 November 2011, Johnson made his first full international start against Slovenia and drew a penalty in a 3–2 win.
