OAKLAND, Calif. – Oakland Roots SC announced on Thursday the club had signed forward EJ Johnson ahead of the 2025 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

Johnson joins Roots having spent the past campaign with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, where he recorded two goals in 21 appearances during the 2024 USL Championship season. The 21-year-old recorded 20 shots and four chances created as he logged 885 minutes for the Hounds.

“We are very excited to bring in such a hungry young player who not only knows this league already, but knows what it means to represent this area,” said Head Coach, Gavin Glinton. “I have known EJ from his time in the youth ranks of northern California and I'm looking forward to working with him again.” 

A native of Fairfield, Calif., Johnson was raised in the North Bay and grew up playing for Northbay Elite before joining the Sacramento Republic Academy from 2016 to 2021. He turned pro in 2022 with Scottish Premiership club Hibernian FC before competing on loan with the Charleston Battery in the USL Championship and Austin FC II in MLS NEXT Pro.

Johnson’s stint with the Battery in 2022 saw him record one goal in 13 league appearances before he recorded 23 appearances for Austin as it claimed the MLS NEXT Pro title in 2023.