Danny Johnson

Guisborough Town In March 2013, Johnson joined Guisborough Town having impressed manager Chris Hardy and scored six goals in nine league appearances at the end of the 2012–13 season. He started the following year in impressive form, scoring six goals in a pre-season friendly against local side Redcar Athletic and added his first competitive hat-trick soon after in a 3–3 draw with Jarrow Roofing in the qualifying rounds of the FA Cup. a 1–0 win over former club Middlesbrough and finishing top scorer in Division One of the Northern Football League. At the end of his prolific 2013–14 season, Johnson received a plethora of awards, including the clubs Managers' Player of the Year, the Northern Football League's Young Player of the Year award and BBC Newcastle's Player of the Year award. Huddersfield Town and Carlisle United before eventually signing for Football League Championship side Cardiff City after scoring for the club's development squad during a pre-season tour against FK Sarajevo. Following his return to professional football, Guisborough manager Chris Hardy commented ""He is an out-and-out goal scorer and more mature now than when he was in the pro game before"" He made his professional debut soon after in a 0–0 draw with Mansfield Town on 21 October 2014, playing 71 minutes before being replaced by George Donnelly, and scored his first professional goal on 11 November in a 2–1 win over Bury in the Football League Trophy. He made just one more appearance for the club before returning to Cardiff.

After continuing to score regularly for Cardiff's under-21 development squad, Johnson was again loaned out, returning to League Two with Stevenage for an initial one month loan deal on 2 February. He made one start for the club and three brief substitute appearances without scoring before returning to Cardiff in late March. At the end of the season, Johnson was not offered a new contract with Cardiff and was subsequently released.

Gateshead Following his release, Johnson spent time on trial with League Two side York City, appearing in pre-season friendly matches against Leeds United and Middlesbrough. He was offered a further week long trial at the club following this but instead chose to sign for National League side Gateshead, managed by former Middlesbrough assistant manager Malcolm Crosby, stating that the club had "made him feel wanted from the outset". He made his debut for the club on the opening day of the 2015–16 season, starting in a 2–1 win over Aldershot Town before being replaced by Ryan Bowman after 61 minutes. He scored his first goals for the club soon after with a brace against Guiseley during a 2–0 win on 29 August 2015.

His next goal for the club came three matches later during a 2–1 victory over Eastleigh during which Johnson suffered an injury after a heavy collision with Eastleigh goalkeeper Michael Poke. After a weak header back to Poke by defender Jamie Turley, Johnson beat the Eastleigh goalkeeper to the ball to score but was caught by a strong follow through by Poke. Johnson suffered a bruised lung as well as muscle damage in his ribs and hips and was stretchered off, later claiming that he believed that he was going to suffer a seizure due to the severity of the collision, which kept him out for a month.

Motherwell In June 2018, Johnson signed a two-year contract with Scottish Premiership club Motherwell. He started the season well, scoring goals in high-profile matches, including against one against Rangers, a double in a 3–0 victory against Aberdeen, and a late equaliser in a 1–1 draw with Celtic. Despite having a goals to games ratio of one in two start in the first half of the season, a change of formation limited his appearances during the second half of the season.

Dundee On 26 July 2019, Johnson moved to Scottish Championship side Dundee on a two-year contract. He scored on his debut for Dundee in a 1–0 victory over Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Scottish League Cup group stages. Johnson then played a crucial role in the opening game of the league season, scoring two penalties against Dunfermline Athletic to earn his side a point as they came from 2–0 down to draw 2–2, and he scored once again from the spot in a League Cup tie against Aberdeen in a 2–1 defeat. In the first Dundee Derby of the season, Johnson had a goal which would have given Dundee the lead, wrongly disallowed for offside, and his side then went on to lose 6–2. Johnson scored early on in the following match, a 2–1 win over Alloa Athletic.

Leyton Orient On 27 January 2020, Johnson signed for EFL League Two side Leyton Orient. He scored his first goal on 22 February, scoring the last goal in a 2–2 draw with Oldham Athletic. At the end of the 2020–21 season, Johnson was offered a new contract to remain in East London.

Mansfield Town On 10 June 2021, Johnson was announced to have agreed a two-year deal to join Mansfield Town having rejected the offer of a new contract at Orient.

Walsall (loan) On 23 July 2022, Johnson signed for fellow League Two club Walsall on a six-month loan deal. He scored a hat trick on his competitive debut when Walsall beat Hartlepool on the first day of the season on July 30. Johnson would have a very successful short loan spell with Walsall, scoring 15 goals in 30 games. Amid discussion of returning to the Saddlers, Johnson returned to his parent club following the expiry of his loan on 16 January 2023.

Return to Mansfield Upon his return to the club, amid claims he was unhappy, Johnson was accused of tying his shoelaces in order to deliberately not celebrate a goal for his side, a claim which he disputed. On 4 March, he scored his first goal since his recall in a 3–1 victory over AFC Wimbledon, celebrating by pretending to tie the laces on his boot in front of the travelling fans.

He was released at the end of the 2022–23 season.

Walsall On 28 June 2023, Walsall announced that Danny had signed permanently for Walsall on a two-year deal upon the expiry of his contract on 1 July 2023. He scored on his second debut in 2-1 loss to Morecambe F.C. He also scored in Walsall's first win in the season over Stockport County

After struggling with injuries early in the 2024–25 season, Johnson made his mark on the campaign with a late league winner against Bradford City on 14 September. At the end of the season, Walsall confirmed that Johnson would leave the club.

Hartlepool United On 4 July 2025, Johnson joined his former youth club and National League club Hartlepool United on a permanent deal. On 6 May 2026 the club announced he was being released.

Spennymoor Town On 10 July 2026, Johnson signed for Spennymoor Town.

International career In September 2015, Johnson was called up to an England C training camp being held at Warwick University but was forced to withdraw due to injury. In March 2016, Johnson was placed on the standby list for England C's International Challenge Trophy match against Ukraine.

Career statistics

Honours Guisborough Town North Riding Senior Cup: 2013–14