Liberian forward Sam Johnson’s contract has been terminated by Chinese second-tier club Wuhan Zall. Johnson saw his three-year contract in China cut short after Wuhan Zall completed the signing of Brazilian-born Croatian, Jorge Sammir.
In line with Chinese Football Association polices allowing each team to register four foreign players and use three in a game, Johnson was released as he dropped in the pecking order behind Bolivian striker Marcelo Moreno, Ivorian winger Jean Kouassi, and the newly signed Sammir.
Johnson was axed from Wuhan Zall’s first team and sent to the reserves where he spent the last days with the team. His last appearance for the club was Wuhan Zall’s 1-0 win over Meizhou Hakka on July 8, 2017. He scored 12 goals in 26 League One appearances for Wuhan Zall.
In a release via their website, the club thanked Johnson for his contribution and promised to help him return to action soon.
“The club expresses its heartfelt thanks to Sam Johnson for his outstanding contribution to the team. We will arrange follow-up issues as soon as possible, and strive to help Sam Johnson return to the track,†the club wrote.
Johnson now joins a list of the top unattached foreign-based Liberian players that includes Sekou Oliseh, Amadaiya Rennie, Dirkir Glay, Dioh Williams, Eric Weeks, and Junior Wilson.
In July 2016, Johnson surprised many when he turned his back on offers from top European clubs to join a club that plays in the second-tier Chinese football. Spanish La Liga giant Sevilla FC, Russian club CSKA Moscow, and French League One club Bordeaux were all interested in the young Liberian forward who made a shocking move to Wuhan Zall in the Chinese first division from Swedish top tier club, Djurgardens IF.
Featured photo courtesy of Djurgarden IF
