CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery announced on Thursday the club had acquired versatile winger Emmanuel “EJ” Johnson on loan from Scottish Premiership side Hibernian FC for the 2022 USL Championship season, pending league and federation approval. The 18-year-old American joins the Battery after signing a multi-year contract with Hibs.

“I am looking forward to the great coaching here and playing in various positions, I love that kind of challenge in being placed where I am needed the most to help the team win,” said Johnson. “I plan to approach my development here very seriously. I’m at the point of my career where development is crucial, so I intend to learn from the veterans on the team and the incredible coaching staff.”

Johnson’s arrival marks the first official sporting interaction between Charleston and Hibernian since the two formed a strategic partnership in 2021 and signals an extension of the growing relationship.

A native of Fairfield, Calif., Johnson comes highly rated after spells with the Sacramento Republic FC Academy and the Barça Residency Academy in Arizona. Capable of playing anywhere along the right side of the field, Johnson possesses an attacking mindset on the pitch.

The youngster initially joined Republic FC’s academy in 2016 and made 90 appearances across various age group competitions through 2020, tallying 29 goals in that time. Johnson signed a USL Academy contract with the Republic FC’s USL Championship side in April 2021. The 2022 campaign will afford Johnson his first opportunity at regular competition against senior sides before heading to Edinburgh.

Battery Head Coach Conor Casey is looking forward to seeing what Johnson can bring to the 2022 squad.

“He’s an exciting player that has a lot of tools and is flexible, he can play up top and out wide, and he's good in one-on-one situations,” said Casey. “He's at a good age and he wants to make that next step up, so we want to help him improve and develop, and we're hoping that he's going to really add a lot to our team over the season.”

Johnson had originally intended to play collegiately at the University of California, Berkeley, before ultimately signing with Hibernian. He said his move from the West Coast to East Coast has gone smoothly with the help of the community’s welcoming nature and a familiar face already in Charleston.

“Charleston is a beautiful city, the people are inviting, and I am getting settled in nicely,” said Johnson. “Coach Dennis Sanchez has also been great helping me feel at home already as I have known him for many years. I can’t wait to see all the fans at the CCC soon.”