Everything you need to know: Brennan Johnson

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Crystal Palace have made a first signing in the 2026 January transfer window, with Brennan Johnson joining from Tottenham Hotspur.

Johnson becomes the latest addition to Oliver Glasner’s squad and our fifth permanent signing in 2025/26.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Wales forward and his journey so far…

It’s a family affair

Johnson was born into a footballing family. His father David Johnson came through the Manchester United academy in the early-1990s and would go on to have a successful career with Ipswich Town and Nottingham Forest.

Born in Jamaica to his English mother, Johnson senior would win four caps on the international stage for the Reggae Boyz.

Brennan’s mother is Welsh, as are his maternal grandparents, which made him eligible to play international football for the Dragons.

Welsh Dragon

Eligible for both England and Wales at international level, Johnson was capped at under-16 and under-17 level for the Three Lions featuring in multiple friendlies.

But he would switch allegiance to Wales in 2018 and subsequently featured for the Wales under-21 side.

After winning four caps for them, scoring one goal, Johnson was called up to the senior team for the first time in September 2020.

A debut followed in a 0-0 friendly draw with USA before, on his first start for his country, Johnson won a penalty in a game against Finland.

The forward scored his first international goal in June 2022, coming off the bench to equalise in a UEFA Nations League tie against Belgium with just five minutes to play.

That same year he was named in Wales’ first World Cup finals squad since 1958. Although they failed to make it past the group stage in Qatar, Johnson gained valuable experience at the highest level, with three substitute appearances.

As of 2026, Johnson has seven senior goals for Wales, having won 42 caps.

Made in Lincoln

A product of Nottingham Forest’s Academy, it was a spell on loan at Lincoln City that helped mould Johnson into the player he is today.

The wide forward made 40 league appearances, scoring 10 goals for the Imps, playing a major role in them qualifying for the League One promotion play-offs.

Johnson then scored in the 2-0 first leg win over Sunderland in the semi-finals, with Lincoln ultimately triumphing 3-2 on aggregate.

There wasn’t a fairy-tale ending at Wembley, with Blackpool coming from behind to defeat City 2-1 – but for Johnson the season, and success of his team, played an important role in his development.

Bilbao triumph

Johnson will forever be part of Tottenham history, having scored the only goal in last season’s UEFA Europa League triumph over Manchester United in Bilbao.

The Wales international diverted the ball in from close range after Pape Matar Sarr’s cross from wide on the left just three minutes before half-time. It would prove the winner.

Johnson had already played an important role in the triumph, having scored four goals in the run to the trophy.

Having also scored in the Champions League earlier this season, in a 4-0 win over Copenhagen, a goal for Johnson in the UEFA Conference League would complete a clean sweep for him in the three major European competitions.

Welcome to South London, Brennan!

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