Joshua, born in 2004 in Westminster, signed for Oxford United as a first-year scholar and impressed right away. His impressive performances led Johnson to make his first team debut for the Yellows at the age of sixteen, coming on as a 76th-minute substitute for Marcus McGuane in an EFL Cup first round tie at Burton Albion and providing a pass to Anthony Forde that led to an Oxford goal. This led him to make three more cup appearances in the 2021–22 campaign, one of which came in the Papa John’s Trophy, where Johnson assisted Alan Gorrin to secure the win against the Spurs U23s, who featured EFL stars Jack Clarke and Dane Scarlett. This led Joshua to sign professional terms with Oxford United, where he hailed it as “a dream come true." Karl Robinson, the Oxford United boss at the time, acclaimed Johnson as a “terrific prospect.”

Since then, Joshua has had three loan spells with two teams in the National League South: Dartford and, most recently, Welling. During the 22/23 season, Johnson signed a short loan with Dartford, where the midfielder shone as he scored two goals and provided one assist in six league appearances. 22/23 proved an exciting season for the teenager, as he was also a part of the successful Oxford United U18s FA youth cup run with fellow Oxford United loanee Aidan Elliott-Wheeler as the pair defeated Leeds United U18s in the fifth round. Their impressive run came to an end in the quarterfinals, only to be defeated by Manchester City. This season, Joshua returned to Dartford on a youth loan, which only lasted 1 game, but he did score on his solo appearance back at the club in a 4-1 away win versus Chippenham. He then signed for Welling in the National League South and featured in three games in January.

Here at the Puritans, we are excited by the prospect of signing another promising Oxford youngster, and we welcome Joshua to the team. Joshua Johnson will be available for Tuesday’s home fixture against Peterborough Sports and is on track to make his debut.

Welcome, Joshua Johnson!