Michael Johnson released by Manchester City after Twitter picture emerges

MANCHESTER CITY have released former starlet Michael Johnson.

A picture emerged on Twitter last night of the once highly-rated midfielder in a takeaway looking bloated.

And City today revealed that Johnson was paid off and booted out just before Christmas.

The 24-year-old last appeared for the Premier League champions as a second-half substitute in a Carling Cup tie against Scunthorpe in October 2009.

OUT OF SHAPE … Michael Johnson on his last outing for City in 2009

He had been tipped to be a future Three Lions captain after making his debut in the 2006-07 season under Stuart Pearce.

But the following campaign Johnson suffered an abdominal injury and had to undergo a double-hernia operation.

He signed a new five-year deal with City in September 2008 but his injury problems resurfaced and sidelined him for nearly a year.

Johnson played just once in the 2009-10 season and then a serious knee injury ruled him out of the following campaign.

HOT PROSPECT … Michael Johnson competes with Man Utd’s Carlos Tevez in August 2007

He was sent to Leicester on a season-long loan in July 2011 but the Foxes sent him back midway through his spell.

Johnson hit the headlines again last May after crashing his car in Manchester.

And the former England Under-21 star was subsequently convicted of two drink-driving offences leading to a £5,500 fine and three-year driving ban.

Football – The Sun

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