Brennan Johnson: Rhythm, Roots, And Running His Own Lane

There’s a calm to Brennan Johnson. The type that doesn’t need attention to feel seen. He walks in like he’s lived this moment before. Quiet. Clear. Not performing, just present. Hoodie on. Socks very much on. “If they weren’t, you’d know about it,” he jokes, settling into the space without breaking stride.

Some footballers arrive in the game through grind, others through gift. Brennan came through both. With a former pro as a father, he had the game in his blood but never leaned on the name. He carved out his own way. Nottingham Forest was more than a club. It was where his story started. “When I was young, I didn’t really feel pressure about it. My dad played for Forest, then I did too. But once I got close to the first team, it hit me. This is actually something special.”

A knee injury at 14 could have stalled that progress. A year out. But in the time off, he grew. Physically, mentally, stylistically. He came back faster, stronger, and landed in a new position. The midfield shifted wide. From there, the rise began. A breakout loan at Lincoln. A promotion push with Forest. A Premier League move to Spurs. But through it all, one lesson stayed with him.

Then there’s the music. He recently became Wales' unofficial DJ. “I got promoted,” he says, half-laughing but clearly proud. “I’ve been adding songs to the playlist, trying to get the lads hyped. Bit of Bruno Mars, Adele, 21 Savage. I want to get to a Coldplay concert next year. That’s on the list.”

He’s deep into a Harry Potter marathon too. And recently found a Notting Hill pub that does the best roast he’s had in London. Balance is everything. “At first, London was hectic. I’d try and bounce around and end up stuck in traffic for hours. But now I’ve figured it out. Found my spots. It’s still buzzing but not too loud where I live. Perfect balance.”

That sense of rhythm runs through everything. Whether he’s curating playlists, picking fits, or moving through defenders. He likes things to feel right. There’s no force to how he moves through life. Just purpose. Even when imagining the future, it’s less about escape and more about expression. A restaurant, maybe. A bar. Designing something physical.

It makes sense. Brennan Johnson is about building things. Not for validation. For the satisfaction of creating something that reflects who he is. Whether that’s a killer through ball or a perfectly built chair, it’s all part of the same instinct.

The idea of travel sits high on his list too. Football rarely allows it. Even during breaks, there’s the concern about rest, recovery, jet lag. One day, he wants to see the world properly. Not just the hotel-lobby version. The full picture.

Ask him about his favourite stadiums, and the answers are less about prestige and more about feeling. “Anfield, for the atmosphere. But I also played in a stadium in Holland. Feyenoord, I think. That was really cool. Proper energy.” He remembers once seeing a Real Madrid player on holiday in Barbados when he was a kid. “I didn’t even know who it was. I just got so nervous. Froze.”

He laughs at the memory. There’s something endearing in how unpolished his stories are. Nothing curated. Just real. The same way he talks about footballers he admired as a kid. Bale, Rooney, Kaka. Different styles. One thing in common. They were real.

That rawness shows up when you ask what drives him. It’s not silverware or follower counts. It’s more human than that. “I think it’s about staying positive. Enjoying everything. Being with family, friends. That’s what makes me feel good inside.”