David Johnson '25 Recruiting Profile

According to my dad, I've been playing soccer since I was 2 years old, kicking the ball around with the security guard who stayed close to our house. Soccer has been a core part of my life for longer than I can even remember. Undoubtedly my greatest passion, I've taken many steps to try and achieve my life long goal to play soccer professionally. Whether it was by ensuring I was a part of my school's soccer team every year, being a part of local academies to improve, or train alone in my backyard, I tried to take every step to make sure I achieve this goal. I love Eden Hazard and Paul Pogba, fantastic players in the positions I play on the field: left wing, attacking midfielder and central midfielder. Their ability to carry the ball, shoot with power, and create chances for their teammates are skills I possess and have worked hard to develop. 

Unfortunately though, an Osgood schlatter injury to my knee when I was 12 stopped me from playing for over a year. However, I came back stronger than before, and won the boys' soccer in the World School Games 2020 with Greensprings School Lagos. That injury only made me hungrier to get back on the field, subsequently improving me as a player. I carry this same resilience and desire to grow and improve to all aspects of my life, such as when I play the guitar, and in school as I plan to study Computer Science in university, specialising in data science. Soccer has not only brought me immense joy, but taught me lessons such as this: failures are only chances to grow and improve, and I'm committed to growing through each one.