West Ham United and Middlesbrough have met many times down the years in some great clashes

Done Deal: Johnson completed transfer after West Ham transfer race - BBC Sport

Dan is a sports writer and broadcaster, who wrote for Breaking Media Limited's club sites between May 2024 and May 2025. Graduating from the University of Huddersfield in 2018 with First Class Honours in Sports Journalism, Dan has worked with several EFL clubs, as well as with BBC Radio, talkSPORT and TNT Sports. He previously resided in Sydney, Australia, where he continued his career as a freelance writer and broadcaster in various sports.

Published on:

24 Jan 2025, 1:40 pm

West Ham United target Brayden Johnson has joined Middlesbrough in his first professional deal, according to BBC Sport.

The report (23 January) claims the midfielder-chasing Hammers were one of several sides interested in the 18-year-old starlet, who arrives on Teesside from non-league Eastbourne Borough.

Johnson had made 22 appearances in the middle of the park for Eastbourne this season as he shone at National League South level, now joining up with Boro's Under-21s.

The non-league side also confirmed via their website (23 January) Johnson's departure for Michael Carrick's side, having also been linked with Ipswich Town and QPR.

Graham Potter's men will continue scouring the transfer market and are expected to make signings before the 3 February deadline.

West Ham miss out on midfield prospect

West Ham will be disappointed to miss out on adding Johnson to their Under-21 side, who sit ninth in the bulked-out Premier League 2 competition featuring 26 teams.

The Irons would have been unlikely to offer too much - if any - senior game time to the tenacious midfielder this season, but he would undoubtedly have been an exciting addition to the academy at Rush Green.

The transfer window could dictate the remainder of the campaign for Potter's men, however, with reinforcements heavily needed due to injuries and sheer lack of form.

West Ham United boss Graham Potter [Credit: Imago]

Several summer arrivals have flattered to deceive this season and the Irons are busy with enquiries for numerous players, while having to toe the PSR line.

Tim Steidten led the recruitment charge in the summer as the board spent over £100million to strengthen the squad, but the technical director is now on his way out of the London Stadium (David Ornstein, 24 January) with David Sullivan having previously demoted the German's role.

In other West Ham news, a failed meeting takes place with Julen Lopetegui over his termination.

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