City confirm Johnson release

Manchester City have confirmed midfielder Michael Johnson was released before Christmas.

The 24-year-old, once tipped as a future England international, had become a forgotten man at the Etihad Stadium after his progress was hampered by a succession of injuries.

Johnson had not played for the club since October 2009 and a loan spell at Leicester last season was cut short. With the player understood to be short of fitness, City reached an agreement over the remainder of his contract, which was due to expire at the end of the current campaign.

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