Gateshead have confirmed the signing of Brayden Johnson from Middlesbrough on loan for the remainder of their season.
The National League outfit, who are more than in contention for promotion to the football leagues, have added the midfielder to their squad in the hopes of improving their chances of reaching this aspiration.
Carl Magnay’s side’s form has dropped off in the past month, suffering five defeats and two draws in their past seven matches.
This included a 2-0 defeat to Maidenhead who are currently in the relegation zone as well as defeats to other teams that sit in the bottom half as the table such as Aldershot and Braintree.
Magnay, will be hoping that the acquisition of Johnson will help his side get back on track in a season that could still have a very positive ending for Gateshead.
How has Middlesbrough’s Johnson’s season gone?:
Johnson began the season in the National League South Eastbourne Borough, who themselves are very much in the conversation for promotion.
He appeared on 24 occasions for Eastbourne throughout the season, featuring usually in the centre of midfield, on the odd appearance positioned deeper just in front of the centre-backs.
The 18-year-old assisted two goals and scored one throughout his campaign in the National League South with Eastbourne Borough. His best performance came in a 5-2 thrashing of Hemel Hempstead, where he scored his solitary goal of the season.
In what was one of the biggest stories of the January transfer window, Johnson made the move to Championship outfit Middlesbrough, where he slotted into their PL2 squad.
Since this move he has been a regular for the development squad, making a total of six appearances in the PL2.
This move, however, will help the youngster get the first-team action that he requires to help aid his development.
How good of a signing is this for Gateshead?:
Back when the news broke that Middlesbrough had signed Johnson, it was revealed that the Championship side had beaten several teams to the signing of the Londoner.
Some of the names being mentioned were fellow championship team QPR and, even a Premier League team in West Ham United were linked to the midfielder.
This level of demand indicates that multiple clubs anticipate that Brayden Johnson may emerge into quite a star over time.
This signing is a positive one for both sides as Gateshead will benefit from having a prospect at the level of Johnson in the side, whilst the player will also benefit from more playing time for a competitive side that are in the fight for promotion.
After five consecutive defeats, Gateshead will be looking towards Johnson as a player that could help them turn the tides as teams lingering around the playoff spots begin to close in on them.