Sunderland and England man and outlines first-team ambitions under Régis Le Bris after loan moves

Sunderland defender Zak Johnson has had a fruitful loan spell in Ireland this season and is now eyeing a spot in the Black Cats’ first team. During the 2023-24 season, the 19-year-old centre-back joined Dundalk on loan, where he made a significant impact. Johnson played a crucial role in helping Dundalk achieve a club record of eight consecutive home clean sheets. Since making his debut in a 0-0 draw with Waterford last March, he has been a consistent presence in Dundalk’s defense, featuring in every game of the record-breaking run. His impressive performances earned him the 1903 Dundalk FC Supporters Club Player of the Month award and a nomination for the Soccer Writers of Ireland Player of the Month award for May, just before his return to Sunderland.

Reflecting on his time at Dundalk, Johnson expressed his gratitude for the support he received from the staff, players, and fans. He emphasized the importance of playing as many games as possible and striving for consistency. “I haven’t looked back since I joined the squad after the sixth game,” Johnson said. He highlighted the need to mature and prove his reliability and trustworthiness, regardless of his age, aiming to show he can be a dependable player for the manager.

Johnson’s achievements include winning the March and April supporters’ Player of the Month awards and a nomination for the league Player of the Month in May. He believes these accolades reflect his potential and capabilities.

Before joining Dundalk, Johnson was involved in pre-season with Sunderland under Tony Mowbray and played in the Carabao Cup against Crewe Alexandra. He also had a loan spell at Hartlepool United in the National League, where he made 11 league appearances. However, Johnson felt he didn’t perform at his best during his time at Hartlepool. He acknowledged the challenges of adapting to the first-team environment and men’s game but believes his experience at Dundalk has strengthened his resolve and improved his game. Now, with these experiences, he hopes to push for a place in Sunderland’s first team under new head coach Régis Le Bris. Johnson concluded, “Being away from my family made me realize I need to do this for myself. If I want to play for Sunderland’s first team, I need to prove my worth here.”