John Johnson signs two-year contract extension with Bengaluru FC
BENGALURU FC have announced that their mainstay defender John Johnson has signed a two-year contract with the Blues till the end of 2017-18 season.
The English defender was a part of the Blues since the club’s inception and also won two I-League titles and one Federation Cup crown with the club. Along with Curtis Osano, Johnson were the first foreigners to have acquired by the Bengaluru club. Making 13 appearance in the 2015-16 season, Johnson played an integral part in team’s route to I-League victory and was also rewarded with League’s ‘Best Defender’ award following the league’s conclusion.
On April 1, the centre-back had presented a shocker for the fans announcing an exit from the Indian club to play for Chonburi FC, a Thai football club that plays in Thai Premier League. The club and the man himself soon revealed that it was an April fool day prank.
Ever since the 27-year-old debuted in India, he has been on the radar of a fair number of clubs but signing with BFC is one of the easiest of decisions according to Johnson. As reported by Bengalurufc.com,
“I’m delighted to have signed a new contract. Bengaluru FC is home to me. I’ve enjoyed every minute of the three seasons that I’ve spent here and I still feel I have a lot more to offer and achieve with this team. I’ve personally enjoyed great support from the fans and it’s nice to know I will be seeing them again. It’s going to be an important season ahead and I’m already looking forward to it.”
UPDATE! Defender @John6Johnson has signed a new two-year deal with the Blues: https://t.co/XXT0QOZAHm #TheWallStands pic.twitter.com/WHz7x4qBdu
— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) June 20, 2016
With the Champions of India set to compete in not one but 2 Asian campaigns in the 2016-17 season (the ongoing AFC Cup and the ACF/AFC Cup in 2017) and the club is putting big emphasis on strengthening for this season and project themselves as a competitive side in the continent. A few days ago they handed contract extensions to the likes of Sunil Chhetri and Alwyn George. The trend hints that like always they are eager to hold onto the core of their squad as they await the appointment of a new head coach, and then add a few strong signings to go into the next season all guns blazing.
